THE 


RED-  ROVER. 

1  Colt 

BY      J.      FENIMORE      COOPEB. 

"Ye  speak  like  honest  men:  pray  God  ye  prove  so." 
COMPLETE  IN    ONE    VOLUMh 


NEW    EDITION. 


NEW    YORK: 
STRINGER      AND      TOWNSEND 

1856. 


RED  ROVER. 


Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania,  to  wit: 
«+*******  BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  on  the  first  day 
5  T  Q  *  of  IS  ovember,  in  the  fifty-second  year  of  the  Indepen- 
*  ^  G*  |  dence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  A.  D.  1827 
*********  CAREY,  LEA  &  CAREY,  of  the  said  district,  have 
deposited  in  this  office,  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof 
they  claim  as  proprietors,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  The  Red  Rover,  a  Tale.    By  the  author  of  the  Pilot,  &c 
fee." 

"  Ye  speak  like  honest  men :  pray  God  ye  prove  so!" 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
entitled,  "  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  se- 
during  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and 
proprietors  o.  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned." 
And  also  to  the  Act,  entitled,  "  An  Act  supplementary  to  an 
Act,  entitled,  '  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by 
securing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors 
and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  men 
tioned,'  and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  de- 
signing,  engraving,  and  etching-  historical  and  other  prints." 
D  CALDWELL,  Clerk  of  Vie 

Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania 


W   B.  SHUBRICK,  ESQUIRE 

U.  S.  NAVY. 

IN  submitting  this  hastily-composed  and  im 
perfect  picture  of  a  few  scenes,  peculiar  to  the 
profession,  to  your  notice,  dear  SHUBRICK,  I 
trust  much  more  to  your  kind  feelings  than  to 
any  merit  in  the  execution.  Such  as  it  may 
be,  however,  the  book  is  offered  as  another 
tribute  to  the  constant  esteem  and  friendship  of 

THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE. 


THE  Writer  felt  it  necessary,  on  a  former  occasion,  to  state. 
that,  in  sketching  his  marine  life,  he  did  not  deem  himself 
obliged  to  adhere,  very  closely,  to  the  chronological  order  oi 
nautical  improvements.  It  is  believed  that  no  very  great  viola 
tion  of  dates  will  be  found  in  the  following  pages.  If  any  keen- 
eyed  critic  of  the  ocean,  hQprever,  should  happen  to  detect  a 
rope  rove  through  the  wrong  leading-block,  or  a  term  spelt  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  destroy  its  true  sound,  he  is  admonished  of 
the  duty  of  ascribing  the  circumstances,  in  charity,  to  any  thing 
but  ignorance  on  the  part  of  a  brother.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  there  is  an  undue  proportion  of  landsmen  employed  in  the 
mechanical  as  well  as  the  more  spiritual  part  of  book-making  ; 
a  fact  which,  in  itself,  account*  for  the  numberless  imperfections 
that  still  embarrass  the  respective  departments  of  the  occupation. 
Tn  due  time,  no  doubt,  a  remedy  will  be  found  for  this  crying 
evil;  and  then  the  world  may  hope  to  see  the  several  branches 
of  the  trade  a  little  better  ordered.  The  true  Augustan  age  of 
literature  can  never  exist  until  works  shall  be  as  accurate,  in 
their  typography,  as  a  "  log  book,"  and  as  sententious,  in  their 
matter,  as  a  u  watch-bill." 

On  the  less  important  point  of  the  materials,  which  are  very 
possibly  used  to  so  little  advantage  in  his  present  effort,  the 
Writer  does  not  intend  to  be  very  communicative.  If  their  truth 
be  not  apparent,  by  the  manner  in  which  he  has  set  forth  the 
events  in  the  tale  itself,  he  must  be  content  to  lie  under  the 
imputation  of  having  disfigured  it,  by  his  own  clumsiness.  All 
testimony  must,  in  the  nature  of  things,  resolve  itself  into  three 
great  classes  —  the  positive,  the  negative,  and  tke  circumstantial. 
The  hrst  and  the  last  are  universally  admitted  to  be  entitled  to 
the  most  consideration  ;  since  the  third  can  only  be  resorted  to 
in  the  absence  of  the  two  others.  Of  the  positive  evidence  of 
the  verity  of  its  contents,  the  book  itself  is  a  striking  proof.  It  is 
hoped,  also,  that  there  is  no  want  of  circumstance  to  support 
this  desirable  character.  If  these  two  opening  points  be  admit 
ted,  those  who  may  be  still  disposed  to  cavil  are  left  to  the  full 
enjoyment  of  their  negation,  with  which  the  Writer  wishes  them 
just  as  much  success  as  the  question  may  merit. 


THE 

RED  ROVER. 

CHAPTER  I. 

PAB.  "  Mars  dote  on  you  for  his  novices." 

AWs  Well  that  ends  Well. 

No  one,  who  is  familiar  with  the  bustle  and  activ^ 
ity  of  an  American  commercial  town,  would  recog 
nize,  in  the  repose  which  now  reigns  in  the  ancient 
mart  of  Rhode  Island,  a  place  that,  in  its  day,  has 
been  ranked  amongst  the  most  important  ports  along 
the  whole  line  01  our  extended  coast.  It  would 
seem,  at  the  first  glance,  that  nature  had  expressly 
fashioned  the  spot  to  anticipate  the  wants  and  to 
realize  the  wishes  of  the  mariner.  Enjoying  the 
four  great  requisites  of  a  safe  and  commodious  haven, 
a  placid  basin,  an  outer  harbour,  and  a  convenient 
roadstead,  with  a  clear  offing,  Newport  appeared, 
to  the  eyes  of  our  European  ancestors,  designed  to 
shelter  fleets  and  to  nurse  a  race  of  hardy  and  ex 
pert  seamen.  Though  the  latter  anticipation  has 
not  been  entirely  disappointed,  how  little  has  reality 
answered  to  expectation  in  respect  to  the  former 
A  successful  rival  has  arisen,  even  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  this  seeming  favourite  of  nature,  to  defeat 
all  the  calculations  of  mercantile  sagacity,  and  to 
add  another  to  the  thousand  existing  evidences  "  that 
the  wisdom  of  man  is  foolishness." 

There  are  few  towns  of  any  magnitude,  within 
our  broad  territories,  in  which  so  little  change  has 
been  effected  in  half  a  century  as  in  Newport.  Un 
til  the  vast  resources  of  the  interior  were  developed , 

A2 


6  THE    RED    ROVER. 

the  beautiful  island  on  which  it  stands  was  a  chosen 
retreat  of  the  affluent  planters  of  the  south,  from  the 
heats  and  diseases  of  their  burning  climate.  Here 
they  resorted  in  crowds,  to  breathe  the  invigorating 
breezes  of  the  sea.  Subjects  of  the  same  govern 
ment,  the  inhabitants  of  the  Carolinas  and  of  Ja 
maica  met  here,  in  amity,  to  compare  their  respective 
habits  and  policies,  and  to  strengthen  each  other  in 
a  common  delusion,  which  the  descendants  of  both 
in  the  third  generation,  are  beginning  to  perceive 
and  to  regret. 

The  communion  left,  on  the  simple  and  unprac 
tised  offspring  of  the  Puritans,  its  impression  both 
of  good  and  evil.  The  inhabitants  of  the  country, 
while  they  derived,  from  the  intercourse,  a  portion 
of  that  bland  and  graceful  courtesy  for  which  the 
gentry  of  the  southern  British  colonies  were  so  dis 
tinguished,  did  not  fail  to  imbibe  some  of  those  pe 
culiar  notions,  concerning  the  distinctions  in  the 
races  of  men,  for  which  they  are  no  less  remarka 
ble.  Rhode  Island  was  the  foremost  among  the  New- 
England  provinces  to  recede  from  the  manners  and 
opinions  of  their  simple  ancestors.  The  first  shock 
was  given,  through  her,  to  that  rigid  and  ungracious 
deportment  which  was  once  believed  a  necessary 
concomitant  of  true  religion,  a  sort  of  outward 
pledge  of  the  healthful  condition  of  the  inward  man ; 
and  it  was  also  through  her  that  the  first  palpable 
departure  was  made  from  those  purifying  principle? 
which  might  serve  as  an  apology  for  even  far  more 
repulsive  exteriors.  By  a  singular  combination  oi 
circumstances  and  qualities,  which  is,  however,  nc 
less  true  than  perplexing,  the  merchants  of  Newport 
were  becoming,  at  the  same  time,  both  slave-dealers 
and  gentlemen. 

Whatever  might  have  been  the  moral  condition 
of  its  proprietors  at  the  precise  period  of  1759,  the 
island  itself  was  never  more  enticing  and  lovely.  Tte 


THE    RED    ROVER.  7 

swelling  crests  were  still  crowned  with  the  wood  of 
centuries ;  its  little  vales  were  then  covered  with  the 
living  verdure  of  the  north ;  and  its  unpretending, 
but  neat  and  comfortable  villas  lay  sheltered  in 
groves,  and  embedded  in  flowers.  The  beauty  and 
fertility  of  the  place  gained  for  it  a  name  which, 
probably,  expressed  far  more  than  was,  at  that  early 
day,  properly  understood.  The  inhabitants  of  th  e 
country  styled  their  possessions  the  "  Garden  of 
America."  Neither  were  their  guests,  from  the 
scorching  plains  of  the  south,  reluctant  to  concede 
so  imposing  a  title  to  distinction.  The  appellation 
descended  even  to  our  own  time ;  nor  was  it  entire 
ly  abandoned,  until  the  traveller  had  the  means  of 
contemplating  the  thousand  broad  and  lovely  vallies 
which,  fifty  years  ago,  lay  buried  in  the  dense  sha 
dows  of  the  forest 

The  date  we  have  just  named  was  a  period  fraught 
with  the  deepest  interest  to  the  British  possessions 
on  this  Continent.  A  bloody  and  vindictive  war, 
which  had  been  commenced  in  defeat  and  disgrace, 
was  about  to  end  in  triumph.  France  was  deprived 
of  the  last  of  her  possessions  on  the  main,  while  the 
immense  region  which  lay  between  the  bay  of  Hud 
son  and  the  territories  of  Spain  submitted  to  the 
power  of  England.  The  colonists  had  shared  largely 
in  contributing  to  the  success  of  the  mother  country. 
Losses  and  contumely,  that  had  been  incurred  by 
the  besotting  prejudices  of  European  commanders 
were  beginning  to  be  forgotten  in  the  pride  of  suc 
cess.  The  blunders  of  Braddock,  the  indolence  of 
Loudon,  and  the  impotency  of  Abercrombie,  were 
repaired  by  the  vigour  of  Amherst,  and  the  genius 
of  Wolfe.  In  every  quarter  of  the  globe  the  arms 
of  Britain  were  triumphant.  The  loyal  provincials 
were  among  the  loudest  in  their  exultations  and  re 
joicings  ;  wilfully  shutting  their  eyes  to  the  scanty 
meed  of  applause  that  a  powerful  people  ever  re- 


8  THE    RED    ROVER. 

luctantly  bestows  on  its  dependants,  as  though  love 
of  glory,  like  avarice,  increases  by  its  means  of  in 
dulgence. 

The  system  of  oppression  and  misrule,  which 
hastened  a  separation  that  sooner  or  later  must  have 
occurred,  had  not  yet  commenced.  The  mother 
country,  if  not  just,  was  still  complaisant.  Like 
all  old  and  great  nations,  she  was  indulging  in  the 
pleasing,  but  dangerous,  enjoyment  of  self-contem 
plation.  The  qualities  and  services  of  a  race,  who 
were  believed  to  be  inferior,  were,  however,  soon 
forgotten ;  or,  if  remembered,  it  was  in  order  to  be 
misrepresented  and  vituperated.  As  this  feeling  in 
creased  with  the  discontent  of  the  civil  dissensions, 
it  led  to  still  more  striking  injustice,  and  greater  folly. 
Men  who,  from  their  observations,  should  have 
known  better,  were  not  ashamed  to  proclaim,  even 
in  the  highest  council  of  the  nation,  their  ignorance 
of  the  character  of  a  people  with  whom  they  had 
mingled  their  blood.  Self-esteem  gave  value  to  the 
opinions  of  fools.  It  was  under  this  soothing  infatu 
ation  that  veterans  were  heard  to  disgrace  their  no 
ble  profession,  by  boastings  that  should  have  been 
hushed  in  the  mouth  of  a  soldier  of  the  carpet;  it 
was  under  this  infatuation  that  Burgoyne  gave,  in 
the  Commons  of  England,  that  memorable  promise 
of  marching  from  Quebec  to  Boston,  with  a  force  he 
saw  fit  to  name — a  pledge  that  he  afterwards  re 
deemed,  by  going  over  the  same  ground,  with  twice 
the  number  of  followers,  as  captives ;  and  it  was 
under  this  infatuation  that  England  subsequently 
threw  away  her  hundred  thousand  lives,  and  lavished 
her  hundred  millions  of  treasure. 

The  history  of  that  memorable  struggle  is  familiar 
to  every  American.  Content  with  the  knowledge 
that  his  country  triumphed,  he  is  willing  to  let  the 
glorious  result  take  its  proper  place  in  the  pages  of 
history.  He  sees  that  her  empire  rests  on  a  broad 


THE    RED    ROVER.  9 

and  natural  foundation,  which  needs  no  support  from 
venal  pens ;  and,  happily  for  his  peace  of  mind,  no 
less  than  for  his  character,  he  feels  that  the  prosper 
ity  of  the  Republic  is  not  to  he  sought  in  the  degra 
dation  of  surrounding  nations. 

Our  present  purpose  leads  us  hack  to  the  period 
of  calm  which  preceded  the  storm  of  the  Revolu 
tion.  In  the  early  days  of  the  month  of  October 
1759,  Newport,  like  every  other  town  in  America, 
was  filled  with  the  mingled  sentiment  of  grief  and 
joy.  The  inhabitants  mourned  the  fall  of  Wolfe, 
while  they  triumphed  in  his  victory.  Quebec,  the 
strong-hold  of  the  Canadas,  and  the  last  place  of  any 
importance  held  by  a  people  whom  they  had  been 
educated  to  believe  were  their  natural  enemies,  had 
just  changed  its  masters.  That  loyalty  to  the  Crown 
of  England,  which  endured  so  much  before  the 
strange  principle  became  extinct,  was  then  at  its 
height ;  and  probably  the  colonist  was  not  to  be  found 
who  did  not,  in  some  measure,  identify  his  own  hon 
our  with  the  fancied  glory  of  the  head  of  the  house 
of  Brunswick.  The  day  on  which  the  action  of  our 
tale  commences  had  been  expressly  set  apart  to  man 
ifest  the  sympathy  of  the  good  people  of  the  town, 
and  its  vicinity,  in  the  success  of  the  royal  arms.  It 
had  opened,  as  thousands  of  days  have  opened  since, 
with  the  ringing  of  bells  and  the  firing  of  cannon ; 
and  the  population  had,  at  an  early  hour,  poured  into 
the  streets  of  the  place,  with  that  determined  zeal 
in  the  cause  of  merriment,  which  ordinarily  makes 
preconcerted  joy  so  dull  an  amusement.  The  cho 
sen  orator  of  the  day  had  exhibited  his  eloquence, 
in  a  sort  of  prosaic  monody  in  praise  of  the  dead 
hero,  and  had  sufficiently  manifested  his  loyalty,  by 
laying  the  glory,  not  only  of  that  sacrifice,  but  all 
that  had  been  reaped  by  so  many  thousands  of  his 
brave  companions  also,  most  humbly  at  the  foot  of 
the  throne. 


10 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


Content  with  these  demonstrations  of  their  allegi 
ance,  the  inhabitants  began  to  retire  to  their  dwell 
ings,  as  the  sun  settled  towards  those  immense  re> 
gions  which  then  lay  an  endless  and  unexplored  wil 
derness,  but  which  now  are  teeming  with  the  fruits 
and  enjoyments  of  civilized  life.  The  countrymen 
from  the  environs,  and  even  from  the  adjoining  main 
were  beginning  to  turn  their  faces  towards  their  dis 
tant  homes,  with  that  frugal  care  which  still  distin 
guishes  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  even  in  the 
midst  of  their  greatest  abandonment  to  pleasures,  in 
order  that  the  approaching  evening  might  not  lead 
them  into  expenditures  which  were  not  deemed  ger- 
main  to  the  proper  feelings  of  the  occasion.  In  short, 
the  excess  of  the  hour  was  past,  and  each  individual 
was  returning  into  the  sober  channels  of  his  ordina 
ry  avocations,  with  an  earnestness  and  discretion 
which  proved  he  was  not  altogether  unmindful  of 
the  time  that  had  been  squandered  in  the  display  of 
a  spirit  that  he  already  appeared  half  disposed  to 
consider  a  little  supererogatory. 

The  sounds  of  the  hammer,  the  axe,  and  the  saw 
were  again  heard  in  the  place ;  the  windows  of  more 
than  one  shop  were  half  opened,  as  if  its  owner  had 
made  a  sort  of  compromise  between  his  interests 
and  his  conscience;  and  the  masters  of  the  only 
three  inns  in  the  town  were  to  be  seen  standing  be 
fore  their  doors,  regarding  the  retiring  countrymen 
with  eyes  that  plainly  betrayed  they  were  seeking 
customers  among  a  people  who  were  always  much 
more  ready  to  sell  than  to  buy.  A  few  noisy  and 
thoughtless  seamen,  belonging  to  the  vessels  in  the 
haven,  together  with  some  half  dozen  notorious  tav 
ern-hunters,  were,  however,  the  sole  fruits  of  all 
their  nods  of  recognition,  inquiries  into  the  welfare 
of  wives  and  children,  and,  in  some  instances,  of 
open  invitations  to  alight  and  drink. 

Worldly  care,  with  a  constant,  though  sometimes 


THE    RED    ROVER.  11 

an  oblique,  look  at  the  future  state,  formed  the  great 
characteristic  of  all  that  people  who  then  dwelt  in 
what  were  called  the  provinces  of  New-England. 
The  business  of  the  day,  however,  was  not  forgot 
ten,  though  it  was  deemed  unnecessary  to  digest  its 
proceedings  in  idleness,  or  over  the  bottle.  The 
travellers  along  the  different  roads  that  led  into  the 
interior  of  the  island  formed  themselves  into  little 
knots,  in  which  the  policy  of  the  great  national  events 
they  had  just  been  commemorating,  and  the  manner 
they  had  been  treated  by  the  different  individuals 
selected  to  take  the  lead  in  the  offices  of  the  day, 
were  freely  handled,  though  still  with  great  defer 
ence  to  the  established  reputations  of  the  distinguish 
ed  parties  most  concerned.  It  was  every  where  con 
ceded,  that  the  prayers,  which  had  been  in  truth  a 
little  conversational  and  historical,  were  faultless 
and  searching  exercises ;  and,  on  the  whole,  (though 
to  this  opinion  there  were  some  clients  of  an  advo 
cate  adverse  to  the  orator,  who  were  moderate  dis 
senters)  it  was  established,  that  a  more  eloquent  ora 
tion  had  never  issued  from  the  mouth  of  man,  than 
had  that  day  been  delivered  in  their  presence.  Pre 
cisely  in  the  same  temper  was  the  subject  discussed 
by  the  workmen  on  a  ship,  which  wras  then  building 
in  the  harbour,  and  which,  in  the  same  spirit  of  pro 
vincial  admiration  that  has  since  immortalized  so 
many  edifices,  bridges,  and  even  individuals,  within 
their  several  precincts,  was  confidently  affirmed  to 
be  the  rarest  specimen  then  extant  of  the  nice  pro 
portions  of  naval  architecture! 

Of  the  orator  himself  it  may  be  necessary  to  say 
a  word,  in  order  that  so  remarkable  an  intellectual 
prodigy  should  fill  his  proper  place  in  our  frail  and 
short-lived  catalogue  of  the  worthies  of  that  day. 
He  was  the  usual  oracle  of  his  neighbourhood,  when 
a  condensation  of  its  ideas  on  any  great  event,  like 


l2  THE    RED    ROVER. 

the  one  just  mentioned,  became  necessary. 
learning  was  justly  computed,  by  comparison,  to  be 
of  the  most  profound  and  erudite  character ;  and  it 
was  very  truly  affirmed  to  have  astonished  more  than 
one  European  scholar,  who  had  been  tempted,  by  a 
fame  which,  like  heat,  was  only  the  more  intense 
from  its  being  so  confined,  to  grapple  with  him  on 
the  arena  of  ancient  literature.  .  He  was  a  man  who 
knew  how  to  improve  these  high  gifts  to  his  exclu 
sive  advantage.  In  but  one  instance  had  he  ever 
been  thrown  enough  off  his  guard  to  commit  an  act 
that  had  a  tendency  to  depress  the  reputation  he  had 
gained  in  this  manner;  and  that  was,  in  permitting 
one  of  his  laboured  flights  of  eloquence  to  be  print 
ed  ;  or,  as  his  more  witty  though  less  successful  ri 
val,  the  only  other  lawyer  in  the  place,  expressed  it, 
in  suffering  one  of  his  fugitive  essays  to  be  caught. 
But  even  this  experiment,  whatever  might  have  been 
its  effects  abroad,  served  to  confirm  his  renown  at 
home.  He  now  stood  before  his  admirers  in  all  the 
dignity  of  types ;  and  it  was  in  vain  for  that  misera 
ble  tribe  of  "  animalcules,  who  live  by  feeding  on 
the  body  of  genius,"  to  attempt  to  undermine  a  rep 
utation  that  was  embalmed  in  the  faith  of  so  many 
parishes.  The  brochure  was  diligently  scattered 
through  the  provinces,  lauded  around  the  tea-pot, 
openly  extolled  in  the  prints — by  some  kindred 
spirit,  as  was  manifest  in  the  striking  similarity  of 
style — and  by  one  believer,  more  zealous  or  perhaps 
more  interested  than  the  rest,  actually  put  on  board 
the  next  ship  which  sailed  for  "  home,"  as  England 
was  then  affectionately  termed,  enclosed  in  an  en- 
velope  which  bore  an  address  no  less  imposing  than 
the  Majesty  of  Britian.  Its  effect  on  the  straight- 
going  mind  of  the  dogmatic  German,  who  then  fill 
ed  the  throne  of  the  Conqueror,  was  never  known, 
though  they,  who  were  in  the  secret  of  the  trans 


THE    RED   ROVER.  13 

mission,  long  looked,  in  vain,  for  the  signal  reward 
that  was  to  follow  so  striking  an  exhibition  of  human 
intellect. 

Notwithstanding  these  high  and  beneficent  gifts, 
their  possessor  was  now  as  unconsciously  engaged  in 
that  portion  of  his  professional  labours  which  bore 
the  strongest  resemblance  to  the  occupation  of  a  scriv 
ener,  as  though  nature,  in  bestowing  such  rare  en 
dowments,  had  denied  him  the  phrenological  quality 
of  self-esteem.  A  critical  observer  might,  however, 
have  seen,  or  fancied  that  he  saw,  in  the  forced  hu 
mility  of  his  countenance,  certain  gleamings  of  a  tri 
umph  that  should  not  properly  be  traced  to  the  fall 
of  Quebec.  The  habit  of  appearing  meek  had, 
however,  united  with  a  frugal  regard  for  the  precious 
and  irreclaimable  minutes,  in  producing  this  extra 
ordinary  diligence  in  a  pursuit  of  a  character  that  was 
so  humble,  when  compared  with  his  recent  mental 
efforts. 

Leaving  this  gifted  favourite  of  fortune  and  nature, 
we  shall  pass  to  an  entirely  different  individual,  and 
to  another  quarter  of  the  place.  The  spot,  to  which 
we  wish  now  to  transport  the  reader,  was  neither 
more  nor  less  than  the  shop  of  a  tailor,  who  did  not 
disdain  to  perform  the  most  minute  oftices  of  his  vo 
cation,  in  his  own  heedful  person.  The  humble  edi 
fice  stood  at  no  great  distance  from  the  water,  in  the 
skirts  of  the  town,  and  in  such  a  situation  as  to  en 
able  its  occupant  to  look  out  upon  the  loveliness  of 
the  inner  basin,  and,  through  a  vista  cut  by  the 
element  between  islands,  even  upon  the  lake-like 
scenery  of  the  outer  harbour.  A  small,  though  little 
frequented  wharf  lay  before  his  door,  while  a  certain 
air  of  negligence,  and  the  absence  of  bustle,  suffr% 
ciently  manifested  that  the  place  itself  was  not  the 
mmediate  site  of  the  much-boasted  commercial 
prosperity  of  the  port. 

The  afternoon  was  like  a  morning  in  spring,  the 


14  THE    RED    ROVER 

breeze  which  occasionally  rippled  the  basin  possess 
ing  that  peculiarly  bland  influence  which  is  so  often 
felt  in  the  American  autumn;  and  the  worthy  me 
chanic  laboured  at  his  calling,  seated  on  his  shop 
board,  at  an  open  window,  far  better  satisfied  with 
himself  than  many  of  those  whose  fortune  it  is  to  be 
placed  in  state,  beneath  canopies  of  velvet  and  gold. 
On  the  outer  side  of  the  little  building,  a  tall,  awk 
ward,  but  vigorous  and  well-formed  countryman  was 
lounging,  with  one  shoulder  placed  against  the  side 
of  the  shop,  as  if  his  legs  found  the  task  of  support 
ing  his  heavy  frame  too  grievous  to  be  endured  with 
out  assistance,  seemingly  in  waiting  for  the  comple 
tion  of  the  garment  at  which  the  other  toiled,  and 
with  which  he  intended  to  adorn  the  graces  of  his 
person,  in  an  adjoining  parish,  on  the  succeeding 
sabbath. 

In  order  to  render  the  minutes  shorter,  and,  possi 
bly,  in  indulgence  to  a  powerful  propensity  to  talk, 
of  which  he  who  wielded  the  needle  was  somewhat 
the  subject,  but  few  of  the  passing  moments  were 
suffered  to  escape  without  a  word  from  one  or  the 
other  of  the  parties.  As  the  subject  of  their  dis 
course  had  a  direct  reference  to  the  principal  matter 
of  our  tale,  we  shall  take  leave  to  give  such  portions 
of  it  to  the  reader  as  we  deem  most  relevant  to  a 
clear  exposition  of  that  which  is  to  follow.  The 
latter  will  always  bear  in  mind,  that  he  who  worked 
was  a  man  drawing  into  the  wane  of  life;  that  he 
bore  about  him  the  appearance  of  one  who,  either 
from  incompetency  or  from  some  fatality  of  fortune, 
had  been  doomed  to  struggle  through  the  world, 
keeping  poverty  from  his  residence  only  by  the  aid 
of  great  industry  and  rigid  frugality ;  and  that  the 
idler  was  a  youth  of  an  age  and  condition  that  the 
acquisition  of  an  entire  set  of  habiliments  formed  to 
him  a  sort  of  era  in  his  adventures. 

u  Yes,"   exclaimed   the   indefatigable   shaper  of 


THE    RED    ROVER, 


cloth,  with  a  species  of  sigh  which  might  have  been 
equally  construed  into  an  evidence  of  the  fulness  of 
his  mental  enjoyment,  or  of  the  excess  of  his  bodily 
labours  ;  "  yes,  smarter  sayings  have  seldom  fallen 
from  the  lips  of  man,  than  such  as  the  squire  pour'd 
out  this  very  day.  When  he  spoke  of  the  plains  of 
father  Abraham,  and  of  the  smoke  and  thunder  of 
the  battle,  Pardon,  it  stirred  up  such  stomachy  feel 
ings  in  my  bosom,  that  I  verily  believe  I  could  have 
had  the  heart  to  throw  aside  the  thimble,  and  go 
forth  myself,  to  seek  glory  in  battling  in  the  cause  of 
the  King." 

The  youth,  whose  Christian  or  c  given'  name,  as  it 
is  even  now  generally  termed  in  New-England,  had 
been  intended,  by  his  pious  sponsors,  humbly  to  ex 
press  his  future  hopes,  turned  his  head  towards  the 
heroic  tailor,  with  an  expression  of  drollery  about 
the  eye,  that  proved  nature  had  not  been  niggardly 
in  the  gift  of  humour,  however  the  quality  was  sup 
pressed  by  the  restraints  of  a  very  peculiar  manner, 
arid  no  less  peculiar  education. 

"  There's  an  opening  now,  neighbour  Homespun, 
for  an  ambitious  man,"  he  said,  "sin'  his  Majesty  has 
lost  his  stoutest  general." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  returned  the  individual  who,  either 
in  his  youth  or  in  his  age,  had  made  so  capital  a 
blunder  in  the  choice  of  a  profession,  "  a  fine  and 
promising  chance  it  is  for  one  who  counts  but  five- 
and-twenty;  most  of  my  day  has  gone  by,  and  I 
must  spend  the  rest  of  it  here,  where  you  see  me, 
between  buckram  and  osnaburghs  —  who  put  the  dye 
into  your  cloth,  Pardy  ?  it  is  the  best  laid-in  bark 
I've  fingered  this  fall." 

"  Let  the  old  ivoman  alone  for  giving  the  lasting 
colour  to  her  web  ;  I'll  engage,  neighbour  Home 
spun,  provided  you  furnish  the  proper  fit,  there'll 
not  be  a  better  dress'd  lad  on  the  island  than  my  own 
mother's  son  !  But,  sin'  you  cannot  be  a  general 


16  THE    RED    ROVER. 

good-man,  you'll  have  the  comfort  of  knowing 
there'll  be  no  more  fighting  without  you.  Every 
body  agrees  the  French  won't  hold  out  much  longer, 
and  then  we  must  have  a  peace  for  want  of  enemies." 

44  So  best,  so  best,  boy ;  for  one,  who  has  seen  so 
much  of  the  horrors  of  war  as  I,  knows  how  to  put 
a  rational  value  on  the  blessings  of  tranquillity!" 

44  Then  you  ar'n't  altogether  unacquainted,  good- 
man,  with  the  new  trade  you  thought  of  setting  up  ?" 

44 1 !  I  have  been  through  five  long  and  bloody 
wars,  and  I've  reason  to  thank  God  that  I've  gone 
through  them  all  without  a  scratch  so  big  as  this 
needle  would  make.  Five  long  and  bloody,,  ay,  and 
I  may  say  glorious  wars,  have  I  liv'd  through  in 
safety !" 

44  A  perilous  time  it  must  have  been  for  you,  neigh 
bour.  But  I  don't  remember  to  have  heard  of  more 
than  two  quarrels  with  the  Frenchmen  in  my  day." 

44  You  are  but  a  boy,  compared  to  one  who  has 
seen  the  end  of  his  third  score  of  years.  Here  is 
this  war  that  is  now  so  likely  to  be  soon  ended — 
Heaven,  which  rules  all  things  in  wisdom,  be  praised 
for  the  same  !  Then  there  was  the  business  of  '45t 
when  the  bold  Warren  sailed  up  and  down  our 
coasts ;  a  scourge  to  his  Majesty's  enemies,  and  a 
safeguard  to  all  the  loyal  subjects.  Then,  there  was 
a  business  in  Garmany,  concerning  which  we  had 
awful  accounts  of  battles  fou't,  in  which  men  were 
mowed  down  like  grass  falling  before  the  scythe  of  a 
strong  arm.  That  makes  three.  The  fourth  was 
the  rebellion  of  '15,  of  which  I  pretend  not  to  have 
seen  much,  being  but  a  youth  at  the  time  ;  and  the 
fifth  was  a  dreadful  rumour,  that  was  spread  through 
the  provinces,  of  a  general  rising  among  the  blacks 
and  Indians,  which  was  to  sweep  all  us  Christians 
into  eternity  at  a  minute's  warning !" 

"  Well,  I  had  always  reckoned  you  for  a  home- 
staying  and  a  peaceable  man,  neighbour ;"  returned 


THE    RED    ROVER.  17 

the  admiring  countryman ;  "  nor  did  I  ever  dream 
that  you  had  seen  such  serious  movings." 

"  I  have  not  boasted,  Pardon,  or  I  might  have  ad 
ded  other  heavy  matters  to  the  list.  There  was  a 
great  struggle  in  the  East,  no  longer  than  the  year 
'32,  for  the  Persian  throne.  You  have  read  of  the 
laws  of  the  Medes  and  the  Persians :  Well,  for  the  very 
throne  that  gave  forth  those  unalterable  laws  was 
there  a  frightful  struggle,  in  which  blood  ran  like 
water ;  but,  as  it  was  not  in  Christendom,  I  do  not 
account  it  among  my  own  experiences ;  though  1 
might  have  spoken  of  the  Porteous  mob  with  great 
reason,  as  it  took  place  in  another  portion  of  the 
very  kingdom  in  which  I  lived." 

"  You  must  have  journeyed  much,  and  been  stir 
ring  late  and  early,  good-man,  to  have  seen  all  these 
things,  and  to  have  got  no  harm." 

"  Yes,  yes,  Pve  been  something  of  a  traveller  too, 
Pardy.  Twice  have  I  been  over  land  to  Boston, 
and  once  have  I  sailed  through  the  Great  Sound  of 
Long  Island,  down  to  the  town  of  York.  It  is  an 
awful  undertaking  the  latter,  as  it  respects  the  dis 
tance,  and  more  especially  because  it  is  needful  to 
pass  a  place  that  is  likened,  by  its  name,  to  the  en 
trance  of  Tophet." 

"  I  have  often  heard  the  spot  call'd  '  Hell  Gate' 
spoken  of,  and  I  may  say,  too,  that  I  know  a  man 
well  who  has  been  through  it  twice ;  once  in  going  to 
York,  and  once  in  coming  homeward." 

"  He  had  enough  of  it,  as  I'll  engage !  Did  he  tell 
you  of  the  pot  which  tosses  and  roars  as  if  the  big 
gest  of  Beelzebub's  fires  was  burning  beneath,  and 
of  the  hog's-back  over  which  the  water  pitches,  as 
it  may  tumble  over  the  Great  Falls  of  the  West ! 
Owing  to  reasonable  skill  in  our  seamen,  and  un 
common  resolution  in  the  passengers,  we  happily 
made  a  good  time  of  it%  through  ourselves ;  though 
[  care  not  who  knows  it,  I  will  own  it  is  a  severe  trial 
B2 


18  THE    RED    ROVER. 

to  the  courage  to  enter  that  same  dreadful  Strait, 
We  cast  out  our  anchors  at  certain  islands,  which 
lie  a  few  furlongs  this  side  the  place,  and  sent  the 
pinnace,  with  the  captain  and  two  stout  seamen,  to 
reconnoitre  the  spot,  in  order  to  see  if  it  were  in  a 
peaceful  state  or  not.  The  report  being  favourable, 
the  passengers  were  landed,  and  the  vessel  was  got 
through,  by  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  in  safety.  We 
had  all  reason  to  rejoice  that  the  prayers  of  the  con 
gregation  were  asked  before  we  departed  from  the 
peace  and  security  of  our  homes  !" 

"  You  journeyed  round  the  'Gate'  on  foot?" — de 
manded  the  attentive  boor. 

"  Certain  !  It  would  have  been  a  sinful  and  a  blas 
phemous  tempting  of  Providence  to  have  done  other 
wise,  seeing  that  our  duty  called  us  to  no  such  sa 
crifice.  But  all  that  danger  is  gone  by,  and  so  I  trust 
will  that  of  this  bloody  war,  in  which  we  have  both 
been  actors ;  and  then  I  humbly  hope  his  sacred 
Majesty  will  have  leisure  to  turn  his  royal  mind  to 
the  pirates  who  infest  the  coast,  and  to  order  some 
of  his  stout  naval  captains  to  mete  out  to  the  rogues 
the  treatment  they  are  so  fond  of  giving  unto  others. 
It  would  be  a  joyful  sight  to  my  old  eyes  to  see  the 
famous  and  long-hunted  Red  Rover  brought  into  this 
very  port,  towing  at  the  poop  of  a  King's  cruiser." 

"  And  is  it  a  desperate  villain,  he  of  whom  you 
now  make  mention  ?" 

"  He !  There  are  many  he's  in  that  one  lawless 
ship,  and  bloody-minded  and  nefarious  thieves  are 
they,  to  the  smallest  boy.  It  is  heart-searching  and 
grievous,  Pardy,  to  hear  of  their  evil-doings  on  the 
high  seas  of  the  King !" 

"  I  have  often  heard  mention  made  of  the  Rover,' 
returned  the  countryman  ;  "  but  never  to  enter  into 
any  of  the  intricate  particulars  of  his  knavery." 

"  How  should  you,  boy,  who  live  up  in  the  country 
know  so  much  of  what  is  passing  on  the  great  deep 


THE    RED    ROVER.  19 

as  we  who  dwell  in  a  port  that  is  so  much  resorted 
to  by  mariners !  I  am  fearful  you'll  be  making  it 
late  home,  Pardon,"  he  added,  glancing  his  eye  at 
certain  lines  drawn  on  his  shop-board,  by  the  aid  of 
which  he  was  enabled  to  note  the  progress  of  the 
setting  sun.  "  It  is  drawing  towards  the  hour  of  five, 
and  you  have  twice  that  number  of  miles  to  go,  be 
fore  you  can,  by  any  manner  of  means,  reach  the 
nearest  boundary  of  your  father's  farm." 

"  The  road  is  plain,  and  the  people  honest,"  re 
turned  the  countryman,  who  cared  not  if  it  were 
midnight,  provided  he  could  be  the  bearer  of  tidings 
of  some  dreadful  sea  robbery  to  the  ears  of  those 
whom  he  well  knew  would  throng  around  him,  at 
his  return,  to  hear  the  tidings  from  the  port.  "  And 
is  he,  in  truth,  so  much  feared  and  sought  for,  as 
people  say  ?" 

"  Is  he  sought  for  !  Is  Tophet  sought  by  a  praying 
Christian  ?  Few  there  are  on  the  mighty  deep,  let 
them  even  be  is  stout  for  battle  as  was  Joshua  the 
great  Jewish  captain,  that  would  not  rather  behold 
the  land  than  see  the  top-gallants  of  that  wicked 
pirate  !  Men  fight  for  glory,  Pardon,  as  I  may  say  I 
have  seen,  after  living  through  so  many  wars,  but 
none  love  to  meet  an  enemy  who  hoists  a  bloody  flag 
at  the  first  blow,  and  who  is  ready  to  cast  both  par 
ties  into  the  air,  when  he  finds  the  hand  of  Satan  has 
no  longer  power  to  help  him." 

"  If  the  rogue  is  so  desperate,"  returned  the  youth 
straightening  his  powerful  limbs,  with  a  look  of  rising 
pride,  "  why  do  not  the  Island  and  the  Plantations 
fit  out  a  coaster  in  order  to  bring  him  in,  that  he 
might  get  a  sight  of  a  wholesome  gibbet  ?  Let  the 
drum  beat  on  such  a  message  through  our  neighbour 
hood,  and  I'll  engage  that  it  don't  leave  it  without 
one  volunteer  at  least." 

"  So  much  for  not  having  seen  war !  Of  what  use 
would  flails  and  pitch-forks  prove  against  men  whc 


20  THE    RED    ROVER. 

have  sold  themselves  to  the  devil?  Often  has  the 
Rover  been  seen  at  night,  or  just  as  the  sun  has  been 
going  down,  by  the  King's  cruisers,  who,  having 
fairly  surrounded  the  thieves,  had  good  reason  to  be 
lieve  that  they  had  them  already  in  the  bilboes ;  but, 
when  the  morning  has  come,  the  prize  was  vanished, 
by  fair  means  or  by  foul !" 

"  And  are  the  villains  so  bloody-minded  that  they 
are  called 'Red?'" 

"  Such  is  the  title  of  their  leader,"  returned  the 
worthy  tailor,  who  by  this  time  was  swelling  with 
the  importance  of  possessing  so  interesting  a  legend 
to  communicate ;  "  and  such  is  also  the  name  they 
give  to  his  vessel ;  because  no  man,  who  has  put 
foot  on  board  her,  has  ever  come  back  to  say  that 
she  has  a  better  or  a  worse ;  that  is,  no  honest  mari 
ner  or  lucky  voyager.  The  ship  is  of  the  size  of  a 
King's  sloop,  they  say,  and  of  like  equipments  and 
form ;  but  she  has  miraculously  escaped  from  the 
hands  of  many  a  gallant  frigate  ;  and  once,  it  is  whis 
pered,  for  no  loyal  subject  would  like  to  say  such  a 
scandalous  thing  openly,  Pardon,  that  she  lay  under 
the  guns  of  a  fifty  for  an  hour,  and  seemingly,  to  all 
eyes,  she  sunk  like  hammered  lead  to  the  bottom. 
But,  just  as  every  body  was  shaking  hands,  and  wish 
ing  his  neighbour  joy  at  so  happy  a  punishment  com 
ing  over  the  knaves,  a  West-lndiaman  came  into 
port,  that  had  been  robbed  by  the  Rover  on  the 
morning  after  the  night  in  which  it  was  thought  they 
had  all  gone  into  eternity  together.  And  what  makes 
the  matter  worse,  boy,  while  the  King's  ship  was 
careening  with  her  keel  out,  to  stop  the  holes  of  can 
non  balls,  the  pirate  was  sailing  up  and  down  the 
coast,  as  sound  as  the  day  that  the  wrights  first  turn 
ed  her  from  their  hands  !" 

"Well, this  is  unheard  of!"  returned  the  country 
man,  on  whom  the  tale  was  beginning  to  make  a 
sensible  impression :  "  Is  she  a  well-turned  and  come 


THE    RED    ROVER.  21 

ly  ship  to  the  eye  ?  or  is  it  by  any  means  certain  that 
she  is  an  actual  living  vessel  at  all?" 

"  Opinions  differ.  Some  say,  yes  ;  some  say,  no 
But  I  am  well  acquainted  with  a  man  who  travelled 
a  week  in  company  with  a  mariner,  who  passed  with 
in  a  hundred  feet  of  her,  in  a  gale  of  wind.  Lucky 
it  was  for  them,  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  felt 
go  powerfully  on  the  deep,  and  that  the  Rover  had 
enough  to  do  to  keep  his  own  ship  from  foundering. 
The  acquaintance  of  my  friend  had  a  good  view  of 
both  vessel  and  captain,  therefore,  in  perfect  safety. 
He  said,  that  the  pirate  was  a  man  may-be  half  as 
big  again  as  the  tall  preacher  over  on  the  main,  with 
hair  of  the  colour  of  the  sun  in  a  fog,  and  eyes  that 
no  man  would  like  to  look  upon  a  second  time.  He 
saw  him  as  plainly  as  I  see  you ;  for  the  knave  stood 
in  the  rigging  of  his  ship,  beckoning,  with  a  hand  as 
big  as  a  coat-flap,  for  the  honest  trader  to  keep  off, 
in  order  that  the  two  vessels  might  not  do  one  an 
other  damage  by  coming  foul." 

"  He  was  a  bold  mariner,  that  trader,  to  go  so  nigh 
such  a  merciless  rogue." 

"  I  warrant  you,  Pardon,  it  was  desperately  against 
his  will !  But  it  was  on  a  night  so  dark — " 

"  Dark !"  interrupted  the  other ;  by  what  contri 
vance  then  did  he  manage  to  see  so  well  ?" 

"  No  man  can  say !"  answered  the  tailor,  "but  see 
he  did,  just  in  the  manner,  and  the  very  things  I  have 
named  to  you.  More  than  that,  he  took  good  note 
of  the  vessel,  that  he  might  know  her,  if  chance,  or 
Providence,  should  ever,  happen  to  throw  her  again 
into  his  way.  She  was  a  long,  black  ship,  lying  low 
in  the  water,  like  a  snake  in  the  grass,  with  a  des 
perate  wicked  look,  and  altogether  of  dishonest  di 
mensions.  Then,  every  body  says  that  she  appears 
to  sail  faster  than  the  clouds  above,  seeming  to  care 
little  which  way  the  wind  blows,  and  that  no  one  is 
a  jot  safer  from  her  speed  than  her  honesty.  Ac- 


22  THE    RED    ROVER. 

cording  to  all  that  I  have  heard,  she  is  something 
such  a  craft  as  yonder  slaver,  that  has  been  lying  the 
week  past,  the  Lord  knows  why,  in  our  outer  har 
bour." 

As  the  gossipping  tailor  had  necessarily  lost  many 
precious  moments,  in  relating  the  preceding  history 
he  now  set  about  redeeming  them  with  the  utmost 
diligence,  keeping  time  to  the  rapid  movement  of  his 
needle-hand,  by  corresponding  jerks  of  his  head  and 
shoulders.  In  the  meanwhile,  the  bumpkin,  whose 
wondering  mind  was  by  this  time  charged  nearly  to 
bursting  with  what  he  had  heard,  turned  his  look 
towards  the  vessel  the  other  had  pointed  out,  in 
order  to  get  the  only  image  that  was  now  required, 
to  enable  him  to  do  fitting  credit  to  so  moving  a  tale, 
suitably  engraved  on  his  imagination.  There  was 
necessarily  a  pause,  while  the  respective  parties 
were  thus  severally  occupied.  It  was  suddenly 
broken  by  the  tailor,  who  clipped  the  thread  with 
which  he  had  just  finished  the  garment,  cast  every 
thing  from  his  hands,  threw  his  spectacles  upon  his 
forehead,  and,  leaning  his  arms  on  his  kness  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  form  a  perfect  labyrinth  with 
the  limbs,  he  stretched  his  body  forward  so  far  as  to 
lean  out  of  the  window,  riveting  his  eyes  also  on  the 
ship,  which  still  attracted  the  gaze  of  his  companion 

"Do  you  know,  Pardy,"  he  said,  *«  that  strange 
thoughts  and  cruel  misgivings  have  come  over  me 
concerning  that  very  vessel?  They  say  she  is  a 
slaver  come  in  for  wood  and  water,  and  there  she 
has  been  a  week,  and  not  a  stick  bigger  than  an  oar 
has  gone  up  her  side,  and  I'll  engage  that  ten  drops 
from  Jamaica  have  gone  on  board  her,  to  one  from 
the  spring.  Then  you  may  see  she  is  anchored  in 
such  a  way  that  but  one  of  the  guns  from  the  bat 
tery  can  touch  her ;  whereas,  had  she  been  a  real 
timid  trader,  she  would  naturally  have  got  into  a 
place  where,  if  a  straggling  picaroon  should  come 


THE    RED    ROVER.  23 

into  the  port,  he  would  have  found  her  in  the  very 
hottest  of  the  fire." 

"  You  have  an  ingenious  turn  with  you,  good- 
man,"  returned  the  wondering  countryman  ;  "now 
a  ship  might  have  lain  on  the  battery  island  itself, 
and  1  would  have  hardly  noticed  the  thing." 

"  'Tis  use  and  experience,  Pardon,  that  makes 
men  of  us  all.  I  should  know  something  of  batteries, 
having  seen  so  many  wars,  and  I  served  a  campaign 
of  a  week,  in  that  very  fort,  when  the  rumour  came 
that  the  French  were  sending  cruisers  from  Louis- 
burg  down  the  coast.  For  that  matter,  my  duty  was 
to  stand  sentinel  over  that  very  cannon ;  and,  if  1 
have  done  the  thing  once,  I  have  twenty  times 
squinted  along  the  piece,  to  see  in  what  quarter  it 
would  send  its  shot,  provided  such  a  calamity  should 
arrive  as  that  it  might  become  necessary  to  fire  it 
loaded  with  real  warlike  balls." 

"  And  who  are  these  ?"  demanded  Pardon,  with 
that  species  of  sluggish  curiosity  which  had  been 
awakened  by  the  wonders  related  by  the  other: 
"  Are  these  mariners  of  the  slaver,  or  are  they  idle 
Newporters  ?" 

"  Them  !"  exclaimed  the  tailor  ;  "  sure  enough, 
they  are  new-comers,  and  it  may  be  well  to  have  a 
closer  look  at  them  in  these  troublesome  times !  Here, 
Nab,  take  the  garment,  and  press  down  the  seams, 
you  idle  hussy ;  for  neighbour  Hopkins  is  straitened 
foretime,  while  your  tongue  is  going  like  a  young 
lawyer's  in  a  justice  court.  Don't  be  sparing  of  your 
elbow,  girl ;  for  it's  no  India  muslin  that  you'll  have 
under  the  iron,  but  cloth  that  would  do  to  side  a 
house  with.  Ah !  your  mother's  loom,  Pardy,  robs 
the  seamster  of  many  an  honest  job." 

Having  thus  transferred  the  remainder  of  the  job 
from  his  own  hands  to  those  of  an  awkward,  pouting 
girl,  who  was  compelled  to  abandon  her  gossip  with 
a  neighbour,  she  went  to  obey  his  injunctions,  he 


24  THE  RED  ROVER. 

quickly  removed  his  own  person,  notwithstanding 
a  miserable  limp  with  which  he  had  come  into  the 
world,  from  the  shop-board  to  the  open  air.  As 
more  important  characters  are,  however,  about  to  be 
introduced  to  the  reader,  we  shall  defer  the  ceremo 
ny  to  the  opening  of  another  chapter. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Sim  TOBY.    "  Excellent  !  I  smell  a  device." 

Twelfth  Wight. 

THE  strangers  were  three  in  number  ;  for  stran 
gers  the  good-man  Homespun,  who  knew  not  only 
the  names  but  most  of  the  private  history  of  every 
man  and  woman  within  ten  miles  of  his  own  resi 
dence,  immediately  proclaimed  them  to  be,  in  a 
whisper  to  his  companion  ;  and  strangers,  too,  of  a 
mysterious  and  threatening  aspect.  In  order  that 
others  may  have  an  opportunity  of  judging  of  the 
probability  of  the  latter  conjecture,  it  becomes  ne 
cessary  that  a  more  minute  account  should  be  given 
of  the  respective  appearances  of  these  individuals, 
who,  unhappily  for  their  reputations,  had  the  mis 
fortune  to  be  unknown  to  the  gossipping  tailor  of 
Newport. 

The  one,  by  far  the  most  imposing  in  his  general 
mien,  was  a  youth  who  had  apparently  seen  some 
six  or  seven-and-twenty  seasons.  That  those  sea 
sons  had  not  been  entirely  made  of  sunny  days,  and 
nights  of  repose,  was  betrayed  by  the  tinges  of  brown 
which  had  been  laid  on  his  features,  layer  after  lay 
er,  in  such  constant  succession,  as  to  have  changed, 
to  a  deep  olive,  a  complexion  which  had  once  been 
fair,  and  through  which  the  rich  blood  was  still  man 
tling  with  the  finest  glow  of  vigorous  health.  His 
features  were  rather  noble  and  manly,  than  distin- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  25 

guished  for  their  exactness  and  symmetry ;  his  nose 
being  far  more  bold  and  prominent  than  regular  in 
its  form,  with  his  brows  projecting,  and  sufficiently 
marked  to  give  to  the  whole  of  the  superior  parts  of 
his  face  that  decided  intellectual  expression  which 
is  already  becoming  so  common  to  American  physi 
ognomy.  The  mouth  was  firm  and  manly;  and, 
while  he  muttered  to  himself,  with  a  meaning  smile, 
as  the  curious  tailor  drew  slowly  nigher,  it  discovered 
a  set  of  glittering  teeth,  that  shone  the  brighter  from 
being  cased  in  so  dark  a  setting.  The  hair  was  a  jet 
black,  in  thick  and  confused  ringlets ;  the  eyes  were 
very  little  larger  than  common,  gray,  and,  though 
evidently  of  a  changing  expression,  rather  leaning  to 
mildness  than  severity.  The  form  of  this  young  man 
was  of  that  happy  size  which  so  singularly  unites 
activity  with  strength.  It  seemed  to  be  well  knit, 
while  it  was  justly  proportioned,  and  strikingly 
graceful.  Though  these  several  personal  qualifica 
tions  were  exhibited  under  the  disadvantages  of  the 
perfectly  simple,  though  neat  and  rather  tastefully 
disposed,  attire  of  a  common  mariner,  they  were 
sufficiently  imposing  to  cause  the  suspicious  dealer 
in  buckram  to  hesitate  before  he  would  venture  to 
address  the  stranger,  whose  eye  appeared  riveted, 
by  a  species  of  fascination,  on  the  reputed  sla  ver  in 
the  outer  harbour.  A  curl  of  the  upper  lip,  and  an 
other  strange  smile,  in  which  scorn  was  mingled 
with  his  mutterings,  decided  the  vacillating  mind  of 
the  good-man.  Without  venturing  to  disturb  a  rev 
erie  that  seemed  so  profound,  he  left  the  youth  lean 
ing  against  the  head  of  the  pile  where  he  had  long 
been  standing,  perfectly  unconscious  of  the  presence 
of  any  intruder,  and  turned  a  little  hastily  to  exam 
ine  the  rest  of  the  party. 

One  of  the  remaining  two  was  a  white  man,  and 
the  other  a  negro.  Both  had  passed  the  middle  age  , 
*nd  both,  in  their  appearances,  furnishec  the  strong- 

r 


THE    RED    ROVER 

est  proofs  of  long  exposure  to  the  severity  of  climate, 
and  to  numberless  tempests.  They  were  dressed  in 
the  plain,  weather-soiled,  and  tarred  habiliments  of 
common  seamen,  and  bore  about  their  several  per 
sons  all  the  other  unerring  evidences  of  their  pecu 
liar  profession.  The  former  was  of  a  short,  thick 
set,  powerful  frame,  in  which,  by  a  happy  ordering 
of  nature,  a  little  confirmed  perhaps  by  long  habit, 
the  strength  was  principally  seated  about  the  broad 
and  brawny  shoulders,  and  strong  sinewy  arms,  as  if, 
in  the  construction  of  the  man,  the  inferior  members 
had  been  considered  of  little  other  use  than  to  trans 
fer  the  superior  to  the  different  situations  in  which 
the  former  were  to  display  their  energies.  His  head 
was  in  proportion  to  the  more  immediate  members; 
the  forehead  low,  and  nearly  covered  with  hair;  the 
eyes  small,  obstinate,  sometimes  fierce,  and  ofte« 
dull ;  the  nose  snub,  coarse,  and  vulgar ;  the  mouth 
large  and  voracious  ;  the  teeth  short,  clean,  and  per 
fectly  sound ;  and  the  chin  broad,  manly,  and  even 
expressive.  This  singularly  constructed  personage 
had  taken  his  seat  on  an  empty  barrel,  and,  with 
folded  arms,  he  sat  examining  the  often-mentioned 
slaver,  occasionally  favouring  his  companion,  the 
black,  with  such  remarks  as  were  suggested  by  his 
observation  and  great  experience. 

The  negro  occupied  a  more  humble  post;  one 
r>efter  suited  to  his  subdued  habits  and  inclinations 
fn  stature,  and  the  peculiar  division  of  animal  force, 
(here  was  a  great  resemblance  between  the  two,  with 
the  exception  that  the  latter  enjoyed  the  advantage 
in  height,  and  even  in  proportions.  While  nature 
had  stamped  on  his  lineaments  those  distinguishing 
marks  which  characterize  the  race  from*  which  he 
sprung,  she  had  not  done  it  to  that  revolting  degree 
to  which  her  displeasure  against  that  stricken  people 
is  often  carried.  His  features  were  more  elevated 
than  common ;  his  eye  was  mild,  easily  excited  tc 


THE    RED    ROVER.  27 

Joy,  and,  like  that  of  his  companion,  sometimes  hu 
morous.  His  head  was  beginning  to  be  sprinkled 
with  gray,  his  skin  had  lost  the  shining  jet  colour 
which  had  distinguished  it  in  his  youth,  and  all  his 
limbs  and  movements  bespoke  a  man  whose  frame 
had  been  equally  indurated  and  stiffened  by  unre- 
mitted  toil.  He  sat  on  a  low  stone,  and  seemed  in 
tently  employed  in  tossing  pebbles  into  the  air,  and 
shewing  his  dexterity  by  catching  them  in  the  hand 
from  which  they  had  just  been  cast ;  an  amusement 
which  betrayed  alike  the  natural  tendency  of  his  mind 
to  seek  pleasure  in  trifles,  and  the  absence  of  those 
more  elevating  feelings  which  are  the  fruits  of  edu 
cation.  The  process,  however,  furnished  a  striking 
exhibition  of  the  physical  force  of  the  negro.  In 
order  to  conduct  this  trivial  pursuit  without  incum- 
brance,  he  had  rolled  the  sleeve  of  his  light  canvas 
jacket  to  the  elbow,  and  laid  bare  an  arm  that  might 
have  served  as  a  model  for  the  limb  of  Hercules. 

There  was  certainly  nothing  sufficiently  imposing 
about  the  persons  of  either  of  these  individuals  to 
repel  the  investigations  of  one  as  much  influenced 
by  curiosity  as  our  tailor.  Instead,  however,  of  yield 
ing  directly  to  the  strong  impulse,  the  honest  shaper 
of  cloth  chose  to  conduct  his  advance  in  a  manner 
that  should  afford  to  the  bumpkin  a  striking  proof 
of  his  boasted  sagacity.  After  making  a  sign  of  cau 
tion  and  intelligence  to  the  latter,  he  approached 
slowly  from  behind,  with  a  light  step,  that  might 
give  him  an  opportunity  of  overhearing  any  secret 
that  should  unwittingly  fall  from  either  of  the  sea 
men.  His  forethought  was  followed  by  no  very  im 
portant  results,  though  it  served  to  supply  his  suspi 
cions  with  all  the  additional  testimony  of  the  treach 
ery  of  their  characters  that  could  be  furnished  by 
evidence  so  simple  as  the  mere  sound  of  their  voices. 
As  to  the  words  themselves,  though  the  good-man 
believed  they  might  well  contain  treason,  he  was 


28  THE    RED    ROVER 

compelled  to  acknowledge  to  himself  that  it  was  so 
artfully  concealed  as  to  escape  even  his  acute  capa 
city.  We  leave  the  reader  himself  to  judge  of  the 
correctness  of  both  opinions. 

"  This  is  a  pretty  bight  of  a  basin,  Guinea,"  ob 
served  the  white,  rolling  his  tobacco  in  his  mouth, 
and  turning  his  eyes,  for  the  first  time  in  many  min 
utes,  from  the  vessel;  "  and  a  spot  is  it  that  a  man, 
who  lay  on  a  lee-shore  without  sticks,  might  be  glad 
to  see  his  craft  in.  Now  do  I  call  myself  something 
of  a  seaman,  and  yet  1  cannot  weather  upon  the 
philosophy  of  that  fellow,  in  keeping  his  ship  in  the 
outer  harbour,  when  he  might  warp  her  into  this 
mill-pond  in  half  an  hour.  It  gives  his  boats  hard 
duty,  dusky  S'ip ;  and  that  I  call  making  foul  weather 
of  fair !" 

The  negro  had  been  christened  Scipio  Africanus, 
by  a  species  of  witticism  which  was  much  more 
common  to  the  Provinces  than  it  is  to  the  States  of 
America,  and  which  filled  so  many  of  the  meaner 
employments  of  the  country,  in  name  at  least,  with 
the  counterparts  of  the  philosophers,  heroes,  poets, 
and  princes  of  Rome.  To  him  it  was  a  matter  of 
small  moment,  whether  the  vessel  lay  in  the  ofting 
or  in  the  port ;  and,  without  discontinuing  his  child 
ish  amusement,  he  manifested  the  same,  by  replying, 
with  great  indifference  of  manner, — 

"  I  s'pose  he  t'ink  all  the  water  inside  lie  on  a 
top." 

"  I  tell  you,  Guinea,"  returned  the  other,  in  a 
harsh,  positive  tone,  "  the  fellow  is  a  know-nothing  ! 
Would  any  man,  who  understands  the  behaviour  of 
a  ship,  keep  his  craft  in  a  roadstead,  when  he  might 
tie  her,  head  and  stern,  in  a  basin  like  this  ?" 

"  What  he  call  roadstead  ?"  interrupted  the  negro, 
seizing  at  once,  with  the  avidity  of  ignorance,  on  the 
little  oversight  of  his  adversary,  in  confounding  the 
outer  harbour  of  Newport  with  the  wilder  anchorage 


THE    RED    ROVER.  2& 

below,  and  with  the  usual  indifference  of  all  similai 
people  to  the  more  material  matter  of  whether  the 
objection  was  at  all  germain  to  the  point  in  contro 
versy  ;  "  I  never  hear  'em  call  anchoring  ground,  with 
land  around  it,  roadstead  afore  !" 

"  Hark  ye,  mister  Gold-coast,"  muttered  the  white, 
bending  his  head  aside  in  a  threatening  manner, 
though  he  still  disdained  to  turn  his  eyes  on  his  hum 
ble  adversary,  "  if  you've  no  wish  to  wear  your  shins 
parcelled  for  the  next  month,  gather  in  the  slack  of 
your  wit,  and  have  an  eye  to  the  manner  in  which 
you  let  it  run  again.  Just  tell  me  this ;  isn't  a  port 
a  port  ?  and  isn't  an  offing  an  offing  ?" 

As  these  were  two  propositions  to  which  even 
the  ingenuity  of  Scipio  could  raise  no  objection,  he 
wisely  declined  touching  on  either,  contenting  him 
self  with  shaking  his  head  in  great  self-complacen 
cy,  and  laughing  as  heartily,  at  his  imaginary  triumph 
over  his  companion,  as  though  he  had  never  known 
care,  nor  been  the  subject  of  wrong  and  humiliation, 
so  long  and  so  patiently  endured. 

"Ay,  ay,"  grumbled  the  white,  re-adjusting  his 
person  in  its  former  composed  attitude,  and  again 
crossing  the  arms,  which  had  been  a  little  separated, 
to  give  force  to  the  menace  against  the  tender  mem 
ber  of  the  black,  "  now  you  are  piping  the  wind  out 
of  your  throat  like  a  flock  of  long-shore  crows,  you 
think  you've  got  the  best  of  the  matter.  The  Lord 
made  a  nigger  an  unrational  animal ;  and  an  experi 
enced  seaman,  who  has  doubled  both  Capes,  and 
made  all  the  head-lands  atween  Fundy  and  Horn,  has 
no  right  to  waste  his  breath  in  teaching  any  of  the 
breed !  I  tell  you,  Scipio,  since  Scipio  is  your  name 
on  the  ship's  books,  though  I'll  wager  a  month's  pay 
against  afr  wooden  boat-hook  that  your  father  was 
known  at  home  as  Quashee,  and  your  mother  as 
Quasheeba — therefore  do  I  tell  you,  Scipio  Africa— 
which  is  a  name  for  all  your  colour,  T  believe — that 

C2 


30  THE    RED    ROVER. 

yonder  chap,  in  the  outer  harbour  of  this  here  sea 
port,  is  no  judge  of  an  anchorage,  or  he  would  drop 
a  kedge  mayhap  hereaway,  in  a  line  with  the  south 
ern  end  of  that  there  small  matter  of  an  island,  and 
hauling  his  ship  up  to  it,  fasten  her  to  the  spot  with 
good  hempen  cables  and  iron  mud-hooks.  Now,  look 
you  here,  S'ip,  at  the  reason  of  the  matter,"  he  con 
tinued,  in  a  manner  which  shewed  that  the  little  skir 
mish  that  had  just  passed  was  like  one  of  those  sud 
den  squalls  of  which  they  had  both  seen  so  many,  and 
which  were  usually  so  soon  succeeded  by  correspond 
ing  seasons  of  calm  ;  "  look  you  at  the  whole  ration 
ality  of  what  I  say.  He  has  come  into  this  anchorage 
either  for  something  or  for  nothing.  I  suppose  you 
are  ready  to  admit  that.  If  for  nothing,  he  might 
have  found  that  much  outside,  and  I'll  say  no  more 
about  it ;  but  if  for  something,  he  could  get  it  off 
easier,  provided  the  ship  lay  hereaway,  just  where 
I  told  you,  boy,  not  a  fathom  ahead  or  astern,  than 
where  she  is  now  riding,  though  the  article  was  no 
heavier  than  a  fresh  handful  of  feathers  for  the  cap 
tain's  pillow.  Now,  if  you  have  any  thing  to  gainsay 
the  reason  of  this,  why,  Pm  ready  to  hear  it  as  a 
reasonable  man,  and  one  who  has  not  forgotten  his 
manners  in  learning  his  philosophy." 

"S'pose  a  wind  come  out  fresh  here,  at  nor-west,'' 
answered  the  other,  stretching  his  brawny  arm  to 
wards  the  point  of  the  compass  he  named,  "  and  a 
vessel  want  to  get  to  sea  in  a  hurry,  how  you  t'ink 
he  get  her  far  enough  up  to  lay  through  the  weather 
reach?  Ha!  you  answer  me  dat;  you  great  scholai, 
mtsser  Dick,  but  you  never  see  ship  go  in  wind's 
teeth,  or  hear  a  monkey  talk." 

•  The  black  is  right !"  exclaimed  the  youth,  who 
it  would  seem,  had  overheard  the  dispute^while  he 
appeared  otherwise  engaged ;  "  the  slaver  has  left 
his  vessel  in  the  outer  harbour,  knowing  that  the 
wind  holds  so  much  to  the  westward  at  this  season 


THE    RED    ROVER,  31 

of  the  year ;  and  then  you  see  he  keeps  his  light 
spars  aloft,  although  it  is  plain  enough,  by  the  man 
ner  in  which  his  sails  are  furled,  that  he  is  strong- 
handed.  Can  you  make  out,  boys,  whether  he  has 
an  anchor  under  foot,  or  is  he  merely  riding  by  a 
single  cable?1' 

"  The  man  must  be  a  driveller,  to  lie  in  such  a 
tides-way,  without  dropping  his  stream,  or  at  least  a 
kedge,  to  steady  the  ship,"  returned  the  white,  with 
out  appearing  to  think  any  thing  more  than  the  re 
ceived  practice  of  seamen  necessary  to  decide  the 
point.  "  That  he  is  no  great  judge  of  an  anchorage,  I 
am  ready  to  allow ;  but  no  man,  who  can  keep  things 
so  snug  aloft,  would  think  of  fastening  his  ship,  for 
any  length  of  time,  by  a  single  cable,  to  sheer  star 
board  and  port,  like  that  kicking  colt,  tied  to  the  tree 
by  a  long  halter,  that  we  fell  in  with,  in  our  passage 
over  land  from  Boston.11 

"  1Em  got  a  stream  down,  and  all  a  rest  of  he 
anchors  stowed,11  said  the  black,  whose  dark  eye 
was  glancing  understanding!}'  at  the  vessel,  while  he 
still  continued  to  cast  his  pebbles  into  the  air: 
"  S'pose  he  jam  a  helm  hard  a-port,  misser  Harry, 
and  take  a  tide  on  he  larboard  bow,  what  you  fink 
make  him  kick  and  gallop  about !  Golly !  I  like  to 
see  Dick,  without  a  foot-rope,  ride  a  colt  tied  to 
tree !" 

Again  the  negro  enjoyed  his  humour,  by  shaking 
his  head,  as  if  his  whole  soul  was  amused  by  the 
whimsical  image  his  rude  fancy  had  conjured,  and 
indulged  in  a  hearty  laugh  ;  and  asjain  his  white 
companion  muttered  certain  exceedingly  heavy  and 
sententious  denunciations.  The  young  man,  who 
seemed  to  enter  very  little  into  the  quarrels  and  wit 
ticisms  of  his  singular  associates,  still  kept  his  gaze 
intently  fastened  on  the  vessel,  which  to  him  appear 
ed,  for  the  moment,  to  be  the  subject  of  some  extra- 
f»rdinary  interest.  Shaking  his  own  head,  though  in 


32  THE    RED    ROVER. 

a  far  graver  manner,  as  if  his  doubts  were  drawing 
to  a  close,  he  added,  as  the  boisterous  merriment  of 
the  negro  ceased, — 

"  Yes,  Scipio,  you  are  right :  he  rides  altogethei 
by  his  stream,  and  he  keeps  every  thing  in  readiness 
for  a  sudden  move.  In  ten  minutes  he  would  carry 
his  ship  beyond  the  fire  of  the  battery,  provided  he 
had  but  a  capful  of  wind." 

"  You  appear  to  be  a  judge  in  these  matters  • 
said  an  unknown  voice  behind  him. 

The  youth  turned  suddenly  on  his  heel,  and  then 
for  the  first  time,  was  he  apprised  of  the  presence 
of  any  intruders.  The  surprise,  however,  was  not 
confined  to  himself;  for,  as  there  was  another  new 
comer  to  be  added  to  the  company,  the  gossipping 
tailor  was  quite  as  much,  or  even  more,  the  subject 
of  astonishment,  than  any  of  that  party,  whom  he 
had  been  so  intently  watching  as  to  have  prevented 
him  from  observing  the  approach  of  still  another 
utter  stranger. 

The  third  individual  was  a  man  between  thirty 
and  forty,  and  of  a  mien  and  attire  not  a  little  adapt 
ed  to  quicken  the  already  active  curiosity  of  the 
good-man  Homespun.  His  person  was  slight,  but 
afforded  the  promise  of  exceeding  agility,  and  even 
of  vigour,  especially  when  contrasted  with  his  stat 
ure,  which  was  scarcely  equal  to  the  medium  height 
of  man.  His  skin  had  been  dazzling  as  that  of  wo 
man,  though  a  deep  red,  which  had  taken  possession 
of  the  lower  lineaments  of  his  face,  and  which  was 
particularly  conspicuous  on  the  outline  of  a  fine 
aquiline  nose,  served  to  destroy  all  appearance  of 
effeminacy.  His  hair  was  like  his  complexion,  fair, 
and  fell  about  his  temples  in  rich,  glossy,  and  exu 
berant  curls.  His  mouth  and  chin  were  beautiful  in 
their  formation  ;  but  the  former  was  a  little  scornful, 
and  the  two  together  bore  a  decided  character  of 
vol  iptuousness.  The  eye  was  blue,  full  without 


THE   RED    ROVER.  33 

being  prominent,  and,  though  in  common  placid  and 
even  soft,  there  were  moments  when  it  seemed  a 
little  unsettled  and  wild.  He  wore  a  high  conical 
hat,  placed  a  little  on  one  side,  so  as  to  give  a  slight 
ly  rakish  expression  to  his  physiognomy,  a  riding 
frock  of  light  green,  breeches  of  buck-skin,  high 
boots,  and  spurs.  In  one  of  his  hands  he  carried  a 
small  whip,  with  which,  when  first  seen,  he  was  cut 
ting  the  air  with  an  appearance  of  the  utmost  indif 
ference  to  the  surprise  occasioned  by  his  sudden  in 
terruption. 

"  I  say,  sir,  you  seem  to  be  a  judge  in  these  mat 
ters,"  he  repeated,  when  he  had  endured  the  frown 
ing  examination  of  the  young  seaman  quite  as  long 
as  comported  with  his  own  patience ;  "  you  speak 
like  a  man  who  feels  he  has  a  right  to  give  an  opin- 
;on !" 

"  Do  you  find  it  remarkable  that  one  should  not 
be  ignorant  of  a  profession  that  he  has  diligently 
pursued  for  a  whole  life  ?" 

"  Hum  !  I  find  it  a  little  remarkable,  that  one, 
whose  business  is  that  of  a  handicraft,  should  dignify 
his  trade  with  such  a  sounding  name  as  profession. 
We  of  the  learned  science  of  the  law,  and  who  en 
joy  the  particular  smiles  of  the  learned  universities, 
can  say  no  more !" 

"  Then  call  it  trade ;  for  nothing  in  common  with 
gentlemen  of  your  craft  is  acceptable  to  a  seaman," 
retorted  the  young  mariner,  turning  away  from  the 
intruder  with  a  disgust  that  he  did  not  affect  to  con 
ceal. 

"  A  lad  of  some  metal !"  muttered  the  other,  with 
a  rapid  utterance  and  a  meaning  smile.  "  Let  not 
such  a  trifle  as  a  word  part  us,  friend.  I  confess  my 
ignorance  of  all  maritime  matters,  and  would  gladly 
learn  a  little  from  one  as  skilful  as  yourself  in  the 
noble — profession.  I  thitk  you  said  something  con 
oerning  the  manner  in  xvhich  yonder  ship  has  an 


34  THE    RED    ROVER. 

chored,  and  of  the  condition  in  which  they  keep 
things  alow  and  aloft?" 

"  Alow  and  aloft !"  exclaimed  the  young  sailor, 
facing  his  interrogator  with  a  stare  that  was  quite  as 
expressive  as  his  recent  disgust. 

"  Alow  and  aloft  1"  calmly  repeated  the  other. 

"  I  spoke  of  her  neatness  aloft,  hut  do  not  affect 
to  judge  of  things  below  at  this  distance." 

"  Then  it  was  my  error;  but  you  will  have  pity 
on  the  ignorance  of  one  who  is  so  new  to  the  pro 
fession.  As  I  have  intimated,  I  am  no  more  than 
an  unworihy  barrister,  in  the  service  of  his  Majesty, 
expressly  sent  from  home  on  a  particular  errand.  If 
it  were  not  a  pitiful  pun,  I  might  add,  I  am  not  yet— 
a  judge." 

"  No  doubt  you  will  soon  arrive  at  that  distinc 
tion,"  returned  the  other,  "  if  his  Majesty's  ministers 
have  any  just  conceptions  of  modest  merit ;  unless, 
indeed,  you  should  happen  to  be  prematurely" 

The  youth  bit  his  lip,  made  a  haughty  inclination 
of  the  head,  and  walked  leisurely  up  the  wharf,  fol 
lowed,  with  the  same  appearance  of  deliberation, 
by  the  two  seamen  who  had  accompanied  him  in  his 
visit  to  the  place.  The  stranger  in  green  watched 
the  whole  movement  with  a  calm  and  apparently  an 
amused  eye,  tapping  his  boot  with  his  whip,  and  seem 
ing  to  reflect  like  one  who  would  willingly  find  means 
to  continue  the  discourse. 

"  Hanged !"  he  at  length  uttered,  as  if  to  complete 
the  sentence  the  other  had  left  unfinished.  "  It  is 
droll  enough  that  such  a  fellow  should  dare  to  foretel 
so  elevated  a  fate  for  me  /" 

He  was  evidently  preparing  to  follow  the  retiring 
party,  when  he  felt  a  hand  laid  a  little  unceremoni 
ously  on  his  arm,  and  his  step  was  arrested. 

"  One  word  in  your  ear,  sir,"  said  the  attentive 
tailor,  making  a  significant  sign  that  he  had  matters 
of  importance  to  communicate :  "  A  single  word, 


THE    RED    ROVER.  35 

sir,  since  you  are  in  the  particular  service  of  his 
Majesty,  Neighbour  Pardon,"  he  continued,  with  a 
dignified  and  patronising  air,  "  the  sun  is  getting  low, 
and  you  will  make  it  late  home,  I  fear.  The  girl 
will  give  you  the  garment,  and — God  speed  you  I 
Say  nothing  of  what  you  have  heard  and  seen,  until 
you  have  word  from  me  to  that  effect ;  for  it  is  seem 
ly  that  two  men,  who  have  had  so  much  experience 
in  a  war  like  this,  should  not  lack  in  discretion.  Fare 
ye  well,  lad ! — pass  the  good  word  to  the  worthy 
farmer,  your  father,  not  forgetting  a  refreshing  hint 
of  friendship  to  the  thrifty  housewife,  your  mother. 
Fare  ye  well,  honest  youth;  fare  ye  well !" 

Homespun,  having  thus  disposed  of  his  admiring 
companion,  waited,  with  much  elevation  of  mien, 
until  the  gaping  bumpkin  had  left  the  wharf,  before 
he  again  turned  his  look  on  the  stranger  in  green 
The  latter  had  continued  standing  in  his  tracks,  with 
an  air  of  undisturbed  composure,  until  he  was  once 
more  addressed  by  the  tailor,  whose  character  and 
dimensions  he  seemed  to  have  taken  in,  at  a  single 
glance  of  his  rapid  eye. 

"  You  say,  sir,  you  are  a  servant  of  his  Majesty?" 
demanded  the  latter,  determined  to  solve  all  doubts 
as  to  the  other's  claims  on  his  confidence,  before  he 
committed  himself  by  any  precipitate  disclosure. 

"  I  may  say  more  ; — his  familiar  confident !" 

"  It  is  an  honour  to  converse  with  such  a  man, 
that  I  feel  in  every  bone  in  my  body,"  returned  the 
cripple,  smoothing  his  scanty  hairs,  and  bowing  near 
ly  to  the  earth ;  "  a  high  and  loyal  honour  do  I  feel 
this  gracious  privilege  to  be." 

"  Such  as  it  is,  my  friend,  I  take  on  myself  in  his 
Majesty's  name,  to  bid  you  welcome." 

"  Such  munificent  condescension  would  open  my 
whole  heart,  though  treason,  and  all  other  unright 
eousness,  was  locked  up  in  it.  I  am  happy,  honour 
ed,  and  I  doubt  not,  honourable  sir,  to  have  this  op- 


36  THE    RED    ROVER. 

portunity  of  proving  my  zeal  to  the  King,  before  one 
who  will  not  fail  to  report  my  humble  efforts  to  his 
royal  ears." 

tk  Speak  freely,"  interrupted  the  stranger  in  green, 
with  an  air  of  princely  condescension  ;  though  one, 
less  simple  and  less  occupied  with  his  own  budding 
honours  than  the  tailor,  might  have  easily  discovered 
that  he  began  to  grow  weary  of  the  other's  prolix  loy 
alty  :  "  Speak  without  reserve,  friend  ;  it  is  what  we 
always  do  at  court."  Then,  switching  his  boot  with 
his  riding  whip,  he  muttered  to  himself,  as  he  swung 
his  light  frame  on  his  heel,  with  an  indolent,  indiffer 
ent  air,  "  If  the  fellow  swallows  that,  he  is  as  stupid 
as  his  own  goose  !" 

"  I  shall,  sir,  I  shall ;  and  a  great  proof  of  charity 
is  it  in  one  like  your  noble  self  to  listen.  You  see 
yonder  tall  ship,  sir,  in  the  outer  harbour  of  this  loyal 
sea-port?" 

"  I  do  ;  she  seems  to  be  au  object  of  general  atten 
tion  among  the  worthy  lieges  of  the  place." 

"  Therein  I  conceive,  sir,  you  have  overrated  the 
sagacity  of  my  townsmen.  She  has  been  lying  where 
you  now  see  her  for  many  days,  and  not  a  syllable 
have  I  heard  whispered  against  her  character  from 
mortal  man.  except  myself." 

"  Indeed  !"  muttered  the  stranger,  biting  the  han 
dle  of  his  whip,  and  fastening  his  glittering  eyes  in 
tently  on  the  features  of  the  good-man,  which  were 
literally  swelling  with  the  importance  of  his  dis 
covery  ;  "  and  what  may  be  the  nature  of  your  sus 
picions  ?" 

"  Why,  sir,  I  maybe  wrong — and  God  forgive  me 
if  I  am — but  this  is  no  more  nor  less  than  what  has 
arisen  in  my  mind  on  the  subject.  Yonder  ship,  and 
her  crew,  bear  the  reputation  of  being  innocent  and 
harmless  slavers,  among  the  good  people  of  Newport 
and  as  such  are  they  received  and  welcomed  in  the 
place,  the  one  to  a  safe  and  easy  anchorage,  and  the 


THE    RED  HOVER 


37 


others  among  the  taverners  and  shop-dealers.  I  would 
not  have  you  imagine  that  a  single  garment  has  ever 
gone  from  my  fingers  for  one  of  all  her  crew ;  no, 
let  it  be  for  ever  remembered  that  the  whole  of  their 
dealings  have  been  with  the  young  tradesman  named 
Tape,  who  entices  customers  to  barter,  by  backbiting 
and  otherwise  defiling  the  fair  names  of  his  betters  in 
the  business  :  not  a  garment  has  been  made  by  my 
hands  for  even  the  smallest  boy." 

"  You  are  lucky,"  returned  the  stranger  in  green, 
"  in  being  so  well  quit  of  the  knaves  1  and  yet  have 
you  forgotten  to  name  the  particular  offence  with 
which  I  am  to  charge  them  before  the  face  of  the 
King." 

"  I  am  coming  as  fast  as  possible  to  the  weighty 
matter.  You  must  know,  worthy  and  commenda 
ble  sir,  that  I  am  a  man  that  has  seen  much,  and  suf 
fered  much,  in  his  Majesty's  service.  Five  bloody 
and  cruel  wars  have  I  gone  through,  besides  other 
adventures  and  experiences,  such  as  becomes  a  hum 
ble  subject  to  suffer  meekly  and  in  silence." 

"  All  of  which  shall  be  directly  communicated  to 
the  royal  ear.  And  now,  worthy  friend,  relieve 
your  mind,  by  a  frank  communication  of  your  sus 
picions." 

"  Thanks,  honourable  sir ;  your  goodness  in  my 
behalf  cannot  be  forgotten,  though  it  shall  never  be 
said  that  any  impatience  to  seek  the  relief  you  men 
tion,  hurried  me  into  a  light  and  improper  manner 
of  unburthening  my  mind.  You  must  know,  hon 
oured  gentleman,  that  yesterday,  as  I  sat  alone,  at 
this  very  hour,  on  my  board,  reflecting  in  my  thoughts 
—for  the  plain  reason  that  my  envious  neighbour 
had  enticed  all  the  newly  arrived  customers  to  his 
own  shop — well,  sir,  the  head  will  be  busy  when 
the  hands  are  idle ;  there  I  sat,  as  I  have  briefly  told 
you.  reflecting  in  my  thoughts,  like  any  other  ac- 

D 


38  THE    RED    ROVER. 

countable  being,  on  the  calamities  of  life,  and  on  the 
great  experiences  that  I  have  had  in  the  wars.  For 
you  must  know,  valiant  gentleman,  besides  the  affair 
in  the  land  of  the  Medes  and  Persians,  and  the  For 
teous  mob  in  Edinbro',  five  cruel  and  bloody" 

"  There  is  that  in  your  air  which  sufficiently  pro 
claims  the  soldier,"  interrupted  his  listener,  who  evi 
dently  struggled  to  keep  down  his  rising  impatience; 
"  but,  as  my  time  is  so  precious,  I  would  now  more 
especially  hear  what  you  have  to  say  concerning 
yonder  ship." 

"  Yes,  sir,  one  gets  a  military  look  after  seeing 
numberless  wars ;  and  so,  happily  for  the  need  of 
both,  I  have  now  come  to  the  part  of  my  secret 
which  touches  more  particularly  on  the  character  of 
that  vessel.  There  sat  I,  reflecting  on  the  manner 
in  which  the  strange  seamen  had  been  deluded  by 
my  tonguey  neighbour — for,  as  you  should  know, 
sir,  a  desperate  talker  is  that  Tape,  arid  a  younker 
who  has  seen  but  one  war  at  the  utmost — therefore, 
was  I  thinking  of  the  manner  in  which  he  had  en 
ticed  my  lawful  customers  from  my  shop,  when,  as 
one  thought  is  the  father  of  another,  the  following 
concluding  reasoning,  as  our  pious  priest  has  it  week 
ly  in  his  reviving  and  searching  discourses,  came  up 
permost  in  my  mind :  If  these  mariners  were  hon 
est  and  conscientious  slavers,  would  they  overlook  a 
labouring  man  with  a  large  family,  to  pour  their 
well-earned  gold  into  the  lap  of  a  common  babbler? 
I  proclaimed  to  myself  at  once,  sir,  that  they  would 
not.  I  was  bold  to  say  the  same  in  my  own  mind  , 
and,  thereupon,  I  openly  put  the  question  to  all  in 
hearing,  If  they  are  not  slavers,  what  are  they  ?  A 
question  which  the  King  himself  would,  in  his  royal 
wisdom,  allow  to  be  a  question  easier  asked  than  an 
swered  ;  upon  which  I  replied,  If  the  vessel  be  no 
fair-trading  slaver,  nor  a  common  cruiser  of  his  Ma- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  39 

jesty,  it  is  as  tangible  as  the  best  man's  reasoning, 
that  she  may  be  neither  more  nor  less  than  the  ship 
of  that  nefarious  pirate  the  Red  Rover." 

"  The  Red  Rover ! "  exclaimed  the  stranger  in 
green,  with  a  start  so  natural  as  to  evidence  that  his 
dying  interest  in  the  tailor's  narrative  was  suddenly 
and  powerfully  revived.  "  That  indeed  would  be  a 
secret  worth  having ! — but  why  do  you  suppose  the 
same  ? " 

"  For  sundry  reasons,  which  1  am  now  about  to 
name,  in  their  respective  order.  In  the  first  place, 
she  is  an  armed  ship,  sir.  In  the  second,  she  is  no 
lawful  cruiser,  or  the  same  would  be  publicly 
known,  and  by  no  one  sooner  than  myself,  inasmuch 
as  it  is  seldom  that  I  do  not  finger  a  penny  from  the 
King's  ships.  In  the  third  place,  the  burglarious  and 
unfeeling  conduct  of  the  few  seamen  who  have  land 
ed  from  her  go  to  prove  it ;  and,  lastly,  what  is  well 
proved  may  be  considered  as  substantially  establish 
ed.  These  are  what,  sir,  I  should  call  the  opening 
premises  of  my  inferences,  all  of  which  I  hope  you 
will  properly  (ay  before  the  royal  mind  of  his  Ma 
jesty." 

The  barrister  in  green  listened  to  the  somewhat 
wire-drawn  deductions  of  Homespun  with  great  at 
tention,  notwithstanding  the  confused  and  obscure 
manner  in  which  they  were  delivered  by  the  aspir 
ing  tradesman.  His  keen  eye  rolled  quickly,  and 
often,  from  the  vessel  to  the  countenance  of  his  com 
panion  ;  but  several  moments  elapsed  before  he  saw 
fit  to  make  any  reply.  The  reckless  gayety  with 
which  he  had  introduced  himself,  and  which  he  had 
hitherto  maintained  in  the  discourse,  was  entirely 
euperseded  by  a  musing  and  abstracted  air,  which 
sufficiently  proved,  that,  whatever  levity  he  might 
betray  in  common,  he  was  far  from  being  a  stranger 
to  deep  and  absorbing  thought.  Suddenly  throwing 
off  his  air  of  gravity,  however,  he  assumed  one  in 


40  THE    RED    ROVER. 

which  irony  and  sincerity  were  singularly  blended 
and,  laying  his  hand  familiarly  on  the  shoulder  of  the 
expecting  tailor,  he  replied — 

"  You  have  communicated  such  matter  as  becom- 
eth  a  faithful  and  loyal  servant  of  the  King.  It  is 
well  known  that  a  heavy  price  is  set  on  the  head  of 
the  meanest  follower  of  the  Rover,  and  that  a  rich, 
ay,  a  splendid  reward  will  be  the  fortune  of  him  who 
is  the  instrument  of  delivering  the  whole  knot  of 
miscreants  into  the  hands  of  the  executioner.  In 
deed,  I  know  not  but  some  marked  evidence  of  the 
royal  pleasure  might  follow  such  a  service.  There 
was  Phipps,  a  man  of  humble  origin,  who  received 
knighthood — " 

"  Knighthood ! "  echoed  the  tailor,  in  awful  ad 
miration. 

"  Knighthood,"  coolly  repeated  the  stranger , 
"  honourable  and  chivalric  knighthood.  What  may 
have  been  the  appellation  you  received  from  your 
sponsors  in  baptism  ?" 

"  My  given  name,  gracious  and  grateful  sir,  is 
Hector." 

"  And  the  house  itself? — the  distinctive  appella 
tion  of  the  family?" 

"  We  have  always  been  called  Homespun." 

"  Sir  Hector  Homespun  will  sound  as  well  as  an 
other  !  But  to  secure  these  rewards,  my  friend,  it  is 
necessary  to  be  discreet.  I  admire  your  ingenuity, 
and  am  a  convert  to  your  logic.  You  have  so  en 
tirely  demonstrated  the  truth  of  your  suspicions,  that 
I  have  no  more  doubt  of  yonder  vessel  being  the 
pirate,  than  I  have  of  your  wearing  spurs,  and  being 
called  sir  Hector.  The  two  things  are  equally  estab 
lished  in  my  mind :  but  it  is  needful  that  we  proceed 
in  the  matter  with  caution*  I  understand  you  to  say , 
that  no  one  else  has  been  enlightened  by  your  enidi 
tion  in  this  affair?" 


THE   RED    ROVER.  41 

u  Not  a  soul.  Tape  himself  is  ready  to  swear  that 
the  crew  are  conscientious  slavers." 

"  So  best.  We  must  first  render  conclusions  cer 
tain  ;  then  to  our  reward.  Meet  me  at  the  hour  of 
eleven  this  night,  at  yonder  low  point,  where  the 
land  juts  into  the  outer  harbour.  From  that  stand 
will  we  make  our  observations  ;  and,  having  remov 
ed  every  doubt,  let  the  morning  produce  a  discovery 
that  shall  ring  from  the  Colony  of  the  Bay  to  the 
settlements  of  Oglethorpe.  Until  then  we  part  ;  for 
it  is  not  wise  that  we  be  longer  seen  in  conference. 
Remember  silence,  punctuality,  and  the  favour  of 
the  King.  These  are  our  watch-words." 

"  Adieu,  honourable  gentlemen,"  said  his  compan 
ion,  making  a  reverence  nearly  to  the  earth,  as  the 
other  slightly  touched  his  hat  in  passing. 

"Adieu,  sir  Hector,"  returned  the  stranger  in 
green,  with  an  affable  smile  and  a  gracious  wave  of 
the  hand.  He  then  walked  slowly  up  the  wharf, 
and  disappeared  behind  the  mansion  of  the  Home 
spuns  ;  leaving  the  head  of  that  ancient  family,  like 
many  a  predecessor  and  many  a  successor,  so  rapt 
in  the  admiration  of  his  own  good  fortune,  arid  so 
blinded  by  his  folly,  that,  while  physically  he  saw  to 
the  right  and  to  the  left  as  well  as  ever,  his  mental 
vision  was  completely  obscured  in  the  clouds  of 
ambition. 


CHAPTER  III. 

ALONZO.    "  Good  boatswain,  have  care."— 

THE  instant  the  stranger  had  separated  from  the 

credulous  tailor,  he  lost  his  assumed  air  in  one  far 

more  natural  and  sedate.     Still  it  would  seem  that 

thought  was  an  unwonted,  or  an  unwelcome  tenant 

f  his  mind  ;  for,  switching  his  boot  with  his  little 

D2 


42  THE    RED    ROVER 

riding  whip,  he  entered  the  principal  street  of  the 
place  with  a  light  step  and  a  wandering  eye.  Though 
his  look  was  unsettled,  few  of  the  individuals,  whom 
he  passed,  escaped  his  quick  glances ;  and  it  was 
quite  apparent,  from  the  hurried  manner  in  which 
he  began  to  regard  objects,  that  his  mind  was  not 
less  active  than  his  body.  A  stranger  thus  accoutred, 
and  one  bearing  about  his  person  so  many  evidences 
of  his  recent  acquaintance  with  the  road,  did  not 
fail  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  provident  publi 
cans  we  have  had  occasion  to  mention  in  our  opening 
chapter.  Declining  the  civilities  of  the  most  favour 
ed  of  the  inn-keepers,  he  suffered  his  steps  to  be, 
oddly  enough,  arrested  by  the  one  whose  house  was 
the  usual  haunt  of  the  hangers-on  of  the  port. 

On  entering  the  bar-room  of  this  tavern,  as  it  was 
called,  but  which  in  the  mother  country  would  prob 
ably  have  aspired  to  be  termed  no  more  than  a  pot 
house,  he  found  the  hospitable  apartment  thronged 
with  its  customary  revellers.  A  slight  interruption 
was  produced  by  the  appearance  of  a  guest  who  was 
altogether  superior,  in  mien  and  attire,  to  the  ordi 
nary  customers  of  the  house,  but  it  ceased  the  mo 
ment  the  stranger  had  thrown  himself  on  a  bench, 
and  intimated  to  the  host  the  nature  of  his  wants. 
As  the  latter  furnished  the  required  draught,  he  made 
a  sort  of  apology,  which  was  intended  for  the  ears 
of  all  his  customers  nigh  the  stranger,  for  the  mannei 
in  which  an  individual,  in  the  further  end  of  the  long 
narrow  room,  not  only  monopolized  the  discourse, 
but  appeared  to  extort  the  attention  of  all  within 
hearing  to  some  portentous  legend  he  was  recount 
ing. 

"  It  is  the  boatswain  of  the  slaver  in  the  outer 
harbour,  squire,"  the  worthy  disciple  of  Bacchus 
concluded;  "a  man  who  has  followed  the  watei 
many  a  day,  and  who  has  seen  sights  and  prodigies 
enough  to  fill  a  smart  volume.  Old  Bor'us  the  peo 


THE    RED    ROVER.  43 

pie  call  him,  though  his  lawful  name  is  Jack  Night 
ingale.  Is  the  toddy  to  the  squire's  relish  ?" 

The  stranger  assented  to  the  latter  query,  by 
smacking  his  lips,  and  bowing,  as  he  put  down  the 
nearly  untouched  draught.  He  then  turned  his  head, 
to  examine  the  individual  who  might,  by  the  man 
ner  in  which  he  declaimed,  have  been  termed,  in 
the  language  of  the  country,  the  second  "  orator  of 
the  day." 

A  stature  which  greatly  exceeded  six  feet ;  enor 
mous  whiskers,  that  quite  concealed  a  moiety  of  his 
grim  countenance ;  a  scar,  which  was  the  memorial 
of  a  badly  healed  gash,  that  had  once  threatened  to 
divide  that  moiety  in  quarters  ;  limbs  in  proportion ; 
the  whole  rendered  striking  by  the  dress  of  a  sea 
man  ;  a  long,  tarnished  silver  chain,  and  a  little 
whistle  of  the  same  metal,  served  to  render  the  in 
dividual  in  question  sufficiently  remarkable.  With 
out  appearing  to  be  in  the  smallest  degree  aware  of 
the  entrance  of  one  altogether  so  superior  to  the  class 
of  his  usual  auditors,  this  son  of  the  Ocean  contin 
ued  his  narrative  as  follows,  and  in  a  voice  that  seem 
ed  given  to  him  by  nature  as  if  in  very  mocke»y  of  his 
musical  name ;  indeed,  so  very  near  did  his  tones 
approach  to  the  low  murmurings  of  a  bull,  that  some 
little  practice  was  necessary  to  accustom  the  ear  to 
the  strangely  uttered  words. 

"  Well !"  he  continued,  thrusting  his  brawny  arm 
forth,  with  the  fist  clenched,  indicating  the  necessa 
ry  point  of  the  compass  by  the  thumb  ;  "  the  coast 
of  Guinea  might  have  lain  hereaway,  and  the  wind, 
you  see,  was  dead  off  shore,  blowing  in  squalls,  as  a 
cat  spits,  all  the  same  as  if  the  old  fellow,  who  keeps 
it  bagged  for  the  use  of  us  seamen,  sometimes  let  the 
stopper  slip  through  his  fingers,  and  was  sometimes 
fetching  it  up  again  with  a  double  turn  round  the 
end  of  his  sack. — You  know  what  a  sack  is,  brother?' 

This  abrupt  question  was  put  to  the  gaping  bump» 


44  THE    RED    ROVER. 

kin,  already  known  to  the  reader,  who,  with  the 
nether  garment  just  received  from  the  tailor  under 
his  arm,  had  lingered,  to  add  the  incidents  of  the 
present  legend  to  the  stock  of  lore  that  he  had  already 
obtained  for  the  ears  of  his  kinsfolk  in  the  country 
A  general  laugh,  at  the  expense  of  the  admiring  Par 
don,  succeeded.  Nightingale  bestowed  a  knowing 
wink  on  one  or  two  of  his  familiars,  and,  profiting 
by  the  occasion,  "  to  freshen  his  nip,"  as  he  quaintly 
styled  swallowing  a  pint  of  rum  and  water,  he  con 
tinued  his  narrative  by  saying,  in  a  sort  of  admonito 
ry  tone, — 

"  And  the  time  may  come  when  you  will  know 
what  a  round-turn  is,  too,  if  you  let  go  your  hold  of 
honesty.  A  man's  neck  was  made,  brother,  to  keep 
his  head  above  water,  and  not  to  be  stretched  out  of 
shape  like  a  pair  of  badly  fitted  dead-eyes.  There 
fore,  have  your  reckoning  worked  up  in  season,  and 
the  lead  of  conscience  going,  when  you  find  yourself 
drifting  on  the  shoals  of  temptation."  Then,  rolling 
his  tobacco  in  his  mouth,  he  looked  boldly  about 
him,  like  one  who  had  acquitted  himself  of  a  moral 
obligation,  and  continued :  "Well,  there  lay  the  land, 
and,  as  I  was  saying,  the  wind  was  here,  at  east-and- 
by-south,  or  mayhap  at  east-and-by-south-half-south, 
sometimes  blowing  like  a  fin-back  in  a  hurry,  and 
sometimes  leaving  all  the  canvas  chafing  ag'in  the 
rigging  and  spars,  as  if  a  bolt  of  duck  cost  no  more 
nor  a  rich  man's  blessing.  I  didn't  like  the  looks  of 
the  weather,  seeing  that  there  was  altogether  too 
much  unsartainty  for  a  quiet  watch,  so  I  walked  aft, 
in  order  to  put  myself  in  the  way  of  giving  an  opin 
ion,  if-so-be  such  a  thing  should  be  asked.  You  must 
know,  brothers,  that,  according  to  my  notions  of  re 
ligion  and  behaviour,  a  man  is  not  good  for  much, 
unless  he  has  a  full  share  of  manners ;  therefore  I 
am  never  known  to  put  my  spoon  into  the  captain's 
mess,  unless  I  am  invited,  for  the  plain  reason,  that 


THE    RED    ROVER.  45 

my  berth  is  for'ard,  and  his'n  aft.  1  do  not  say  in 
which  end  of  a  ship  the  better  man  is  to  be  found ; 
that  is  a  matter  concerning  which  men  have  different 
opinions,  though  most  judges  in  the  business  are 
agreed.  But  aft  I  walked,  to  put  myself  in  the  way 
of  giving  an  opinion,  if  one  should  be  asked ;  nor 
was  it  long  before  the  thing  came  to  pass  just  as  I 
had  foreseen.  l  Mister  Nightingale,'  says  he ;  for 
our  Captain  is  a  gentleman,  and  never  forgets  his 
behaviour  on  deck,  or  when  any  of  the  ship's  com 
pany  are  at  hand,  'Mister  Nightingale,'  says  he, '  what 
do  you  think  of  that  rag  of  a  cloud,  hereaway  at 
the  north-west  ?'  says  he.  '  Why,  sir,'  says  I,  boldly, 
for  I'm  never  backward  in  speaking,  when  properly 
spoken  to,  so,  4  why,  sir,'  says  I,  'saving  your  Hon 
our's  better  judgment,' — which  was  all  a  flam,  for  he 
was  but  a  chicken  to  me  in  years  and  experience, 
but  then  I  never  throw  hot  ashes  to  windward,  or 
any  thing  else  that  is  warm — so,  '  sir,'  says  I,  lit  is  my 
advice  to  hand  the  three  topsails  and  to  stow  the  jib. 
We  are  in  no  hurry  ;  for  the  plain  reason,  that  Guinea 
will  be  to-morrow  just  where  Guinea  is  to-night. 
As  for  keeping  the  ship  steady  in  these  matters  of 
squalls,  we  have  the  mainsail  on  her — ' '' 

"  You  should  have  furl'd  your  mainsail  too,"  ex 
claimed  a  voice  from  behind,  that  was  quite  as  dog 
matical,  though  a  little  less  grum,  than  that  of  the 
loquacious  boatswain. 

"  What  know-nothing  says  that  ?"  demanded 
Nightingale  fiercely,  as  if  all  his  latent  ire  was  ex 
cited  by  so  rude  and  daring  an  interruption. 

"  A  man  who  has  run  Africa  down,  from  Bon  to 
Good-Hope,  more  than  once,  and  who  knows  a  white 
squall  from  a  rainbow,"  returned  Dick  Fid,  edging 
his  short  person  stoutly  towards  his  furious  adversa 
ry,  making  his  way  through  the  crowd  by  which  the 
important  personage  of  the  boatswain  was  environ 
ed  by  dint  of  his  massive  shoulders  ;  "  ay,  brother, 


46  THE    RED    ROVER. 

and  a  man,  know-much  or  know-nothing,  who  would 
never  advise  his  officer  to  keep  so  much  after-sail  on 
a  ship,  when  there  was  tlie  likelihood  of  the  wind 
taking  her  aback." 

To  this  bold  vindication  of  an  opinion  which  all 
present  deemed  to  be  so  audacious,  there  succeeded 
a  general  and  loud  murmur.  Encouraged  by  this 
evidence  of  his  superior  popularity,  Nightingale  was 
not  slow,  nor  very  meek,  with  his  retort ;  and  then 
followed  a  clamorous  concert,  in  which  the  voices 
of  the  company  in  general  served  for  the  higher  and 
shriller  notes,  through  which  the  bold  and  vigorous 
assertions,  contradictions,  and  opinions  of  the  two 
principal  disputants  were  heard  running  a  thorough 
bass. 

For  some  time,  no  part  of  the  discussion  was  very 
distinct,  so  great  was  the  confusion  of  tongues ;  and 
there  were  certain  symptoms  of  an  intention,  on  the 
part  of  Fid  and  the  boatswain,  to  settle  their  con 
troversy  by  the  last  appeal.  During  this  moment  of 
suspense,  the  former  had  squared  his  firm-built  frame 
in  front  of  his  gigantic  opponent,  and  there  were 
very  vehement  passings  and  counter-passings,  in  the 
way  of  gestures  from  four  athletic  arms,  each  of 
which  was  knobbed,  like  a  fashionable  rattan,  with 
a  lump  of  bones,  knuckles,  and  sinews,  that  threat 
ened  annihilation  to  any  thing  that  should  oppose 
them.  As  the  general  clamour,  however,  gradually 
abated,  the  chief  reasoners  began  to  be  heard ;  and, 
as  if  content  to  rely  on  their  respective  powers  of 
eloquence,  each  gradually  relinquished  his  hostile 
attitude,  and  appeared  disposed  to  maintain  his  ground 
by  a  member  scarcely  less  terrible  than  his  brawny 
arm. 

"  You  are  a  bold  seaman,  brother,"  said  Nightin 
gale,  resuming  his  seat,  "  and,  if  saying  was  doing, 
no  doubt  you  would  make  a  ship  talk.  But  I,  who 
have  seen  fleets  of  two  and  three  deckers — and  that 


THE    RED    ROVER.  47 

of  all  nations,  except  your  Mohawks,  mayhap,  whose 
cruisers  I  will  confess  never  to  have  fallen  in  with — 
lying  as  snug  as  so  many  white  gulls,  under  reefed 
mainsails,  know  how  to  take  the  strain  off  a  ship, 
and  to  keep  my  bulkheads  in  their  places." 

"  I  deny  the  judgment  of  heaving-to  a  boat  under 
her  after  'square-sails,"  retorted  Dick.  "  Give  her 
the  staysails,  if  you  will,  and  no  harm  done ;  but  a 
true  seaman  will  never  get  a  bagful  of  wind  between 
his  mainmast  and  his  lee-swifter,  if-so-be  he  knows 
his  business.  But  words  are  like  thunder,  which 
rumbles  aloft,  without  coming  down  a  spar,  as  I  have 
yet  seen  ;  let  us  therefore  put  the  question  to  some 
one  who  has  been  on  the  water,  and  knows  a  little 
of  life  and  of  ships." 

"  If  the  oldest  admiral  in  his  Majesty's  fleet  was 
here,  he  wouldn't  be  backward  in  saying  who  is  right 
and  who  is  wrong.  I  say,  brothers,  if  there  is  a  man 
among  you  all  who  has  had  the  advantage  of  a  sea 
education,  let  him  speak,  in  order  that  the  truth  of 
this  matter  may  not  be  hid,  like  a  marlingspike  jam 
med  between  a  brace-block  and  a  blackened  yard." 

''Here,  then,  is  the  man,"  returned  Fid;  and, 
stretching  out  his  arm,  he  seized  Scipio  by  the  collar, 
and  drew  him,  without  ceremony,  into  the  centre  of 
the  circle,  that  had  opened  around  the  two  dispu 
tants.  "  There  is  a  man  for  you,  who  has  made  one 
more  voyage  between  this  and  Africa  than  myself, 
for  the  reason  that  he  was  born  there.  Now,  answer 
as  if  you  were  hallooing  from  a  lee-earing,  S'ip,  un 
der  what  sail  would  you  heave-to  a  ship,  on  the  coast 
of  your  native  country,  with  the  danger  of  a  white 
squall  at  hand  ?" 

"I  no  heave-'em-to,"  said  the  black,  "I  make 'em 
scud. 

"  Ay,  boy ;  but,  to  be  in  readiness  for  the  puff, 
would  you  jam  her  up  under  a  mainsail,  or  let  her 
lie  a  little  off  under  a  fore  course  ?" 


48  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  Any  fool  know  dat,"  returned  Scipio,  grumly 
and  evidently  tired  already  of  being  thus  catechised 

"-  If  you  want  'em  fall  off,  how  you'm  expect,  in 
reason,  he  do  it  under  a  main  course  ?  You  answer 
me  dat,  misser  Dick." 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  Nightingale,  looking  about  him 
with  an  air  of  great  gravity,  "  I  put  it  to  your  Hon 
ours,  is  it  genteel  behaviour  to  bring  a  nigger,  in  this 
out-of-the-way  fashion,  to  give  an  opinion  in  the  teeth 
of  a  white  man  ?" 

This  appeal  to  the  wounded  dignity  of  the  com- 
pany  was  answered  by  a  common  murmur.  Scipio, 
who  was  prepared  to  maintain,  and  would  have 
maintained,  his  professional  opinion,  after  his  posi 
live  and  peculiar  manner,  against  any  disputant,  had 
not  the  heart  to  resist  so  general  an  evidence  of  the 
impropriety  of  his  presence.  Without  uttering  a 
word  in  vindication  or  apology,  he  folded  his  arms, 
and  walked  out  of  the  house,  with  the  submission 
and  meekness  of  one  who  had  been  too  long  trained 
in  humility  to  rebel.  This  desertion  on  the  part  of 
his  companion  was  not,  however,  so  quietly  acqui 
esced  in  by  Fid,  who  found  himself  thus  unexpected 
ly  deprived  of  the  testimony  of  the  black.  He  loudly 
remonstrated  against  his  retreat ;  but,  finding  it  in 
vain,  he  crammed  the  end  of  several  inches  of  to 
bacco  into  his  mouth,  swearing,  as  he  followed  the 
African,  and  keeping  his  eye,  at  the  same  time,  firm 
ly  fastened  on  his  .adversary,  that,  in  his  opinion, 
"  the  lad,  if  he  was  fairly  skinned,  would  be  found 
to  be  the  whiter  man  of  the  two." 

The  triumph  of  the  boatswain  was  now  complete ; 
nor  was  he  at  all  sparing  of  his  exultation. 

"Gentlemen,*'  he  said,  addressing  himself,  with 
an  air  of  increased  confidence,  to  the  motley  audience 
who  surrounded  him,  "  you  see  that  reason  is  like  a 
ehip  bearing  down  with  studding-sails  on  both  sides 
leaving  a  straight  wake  and  no  favours*  Now,  1 


THE    RED    ROVER.  49 

scorn  boasting,  nor  do  I  know  who  the  fellow  is  who 
has  just  sheered  off,  in  time  to  save  his  character, 
but  this  I  will  say,  that  the  man  is  not  to  be  found, 
between  Boston  and  the  West  Indies,  who  knows 
better  than  myself  how  to  make  a  ship  walk,  or  how 
to  make  her  stand  still,  provided  I" 

The  deep  voice  of  Nightingale  became  suddenly 
hushed,  and  his  eye  was  riveted,  by  a  sort  of  en 
chantment,  on  the  keen  glance  of  the  stranger  in 
green,  whose  countenance  was  now  seen  blended 
among  the  more  vulgar  faces  of  the  crowd. 

"  Mayhap,"  continued  the  boatswain,  swallowing 
his  words,  in  the  surprise  of  seeing  himself  so  un 
expectedly  confronted  by  so  imposing  an  eye,  "  may 
hap  this  gentleman  has  some  knowledge  of  the  sea, 
and  can  decide  the  matter  in  dispute." 

"  We  do  not  study  naval  tactics  at  the  universities," 
returned  the  other  briskly,  though  I  will  confess,  from 
the  little  I  have  heard,  I  am  altogether  in  favour  of 
scudding." 

He  pronounced  the  latter  word  with  an  emphasis 
which  rendered  it  questionable  if  he  did  not  mean  to 
pun ;  the  more  especially  as  he  threw  down  his  reck 
oning,  and  instantly  left  the  field  to  the  quiet  posses 
sion  of  Nightingale.  The  latter,  after  a  short  pause, 
resumed  his  narrative,  though,  either  from  weariness 
or  some  other  cause,  it  was  observed  that  his  voice 
was  far  less  positive  than  before,  and  that  his  tale 
was  cut  prematurely  short.  After  completing  his 
narrative  and  his  grog,  he  staggered  to  the  beach, 
whither  a  boat  was  shortly  after  despatched  to  con 
vey  him  on  board  the  ship,  which,  during  all  this 
time,  had  not  ceased  to  be  the  constant  subject  of 
the  suspicious  examination  of  the  good-man  Home 
spun. 

In  the  mean  while,  the  stranger  in  green  had  pur 
sued  his  walk  along  the  main  street  of  the  town.  Fid 
had  given  chase  to  the  disconcerted  Scipio,  grum- 

E 


50  THE    RED    ROVER. 

bhng  as  he  went,  and  uttering  no  very  delicate  re 
marks  on  th>  knowledge  and  seamanship  of  the  boat 
swain.  They  soon  joined  company  again,  the  former 
changing  his  attack  to  the  negro,  whom  he  lib 
erally  abused,  for  abandoning  a  point  which  he 
maintained  was  as  simple,  and  as  true,  as  u  that  yon 
der  bit  of  a  schooner  would  make  more  way,  going 
wing-and-wing,  than  jammed  up  on  a  wind." 

Probably  diverted  with  the  touches  of  peculiar 
character  he  had  detected  in  this  singular  pair  of 
confederates,  or  possibly  led  by  his  own  wayward 
humour,  the  stranger  followed  their  footsteps.  After 
turning  from  the  water,  they  mounted  a  hill,  the  lat 
ter  a  little  in  the  rear  of  his  pilots,  until  he  lost  sight 
of  them  in  a  bend  of  the  street,  or  rather  road ;  for, 
by  this  time,  they  were  past  even  the  little  suburbs 
of  the  town.  Quickening  his  steps,  the  barrister,  as 
he  had  announced  himself  to  be,  was  glad  to  catch 
a  glimpse  of  the  two  worthies,  seated  under  a  fence 
several  minutes  after  he  had  believed  them  lost. 
They  were  making  a  frugal  meal,  off  the  contents  of 
a  little  bag  which  the  white  had  borne  under  his  arm, 
and  from  which  he  now  dispensed  liberally  to  his 
companion,  who  had  taken  his  post  sufficiently  nigh 
to  proclaim  that  perfect  amity  was  restored,  though 
still  a  little  in  the  back  ground,  in  deference  to  the 
superior  condition  which  the  other  enjoyed  through 
favour  of  his  colour.  Approaching  the  spot,  the 
stranger  observed, — 

"  If  you  make  so  free  with  the  bag,  my  lads,  your 
third  man  may  have  to  go  supperless  to  bed." 

"  Who  hails  ?"  said  Dick,  looking  up  from  his 
bone,  with  an  expression  much  like  that  of  a  mastifl 
when  engaged  at  a  similar  employment. 

"  I  merely  wished  to  remind  you  that  you  had 
another  messmate,"  cavalierly  returned  the  other. 

"  Will  you  take  a  cut,  brother  ?"  said  the  seaman, 
offering  the  bag,  with  the  liberality  of  a  sailor,  the 


THE    RED    ROVER.  51 

moment  he  fancied  there  was  an  indirect  demand 
made  on  its  contents. 

"  You  still  mistake  my  meaning ;  on  the  wharf  you 
had  another  companion." 

"  Ay,  ay ;  he  is  in  the  offing  there,  overhauling 
that  bit  of  a  light-house,  which  is  badly  enough  moor 
ed,  unless  they  mean  it  to  shew  the  channel  to  your 
ox-teams  and  inland  traders  ;  hereaway,  gentlemen, 
where  you  see  that  pile  of  stones  which  seems  likely 
to  be  coming  down  shortly  by-the-run." 

The  stranger  looked  in  the  direction  indicated  by 
the  other,  and  saw  the  young  mariner,  to  whom  he 
had  alluded,  standing  at  the  foot  of  a  ruined  tower, 
which  was  crumbling  under  the  slow  operations  of 
time,  at  no  great  distance  from  the  place  where  he 
stood.  Throwing  a  handful  of  small  change  to  the 
seamen,  he  wished  them  a  better  meal,  and  crossed 
the  fence,  with  an  apparent  intention  of  examining 
the  ruin  also. 

"  The  lad  is  free  with  his  coppers,"  said  Dick, 
suspending  the  movements  of  his  teeth,  to  give  the 
stranger  another  and  a  better  look ;  "  but,  as  they 
will  not  grow  where  he  has  planted  them,  S'ip,  you 
may  turn  them  over  to  my  pocket.  An  off-handed 
and  a  free-handed  chap  that,  Africa ;  but  then  these 
law-dealers  get  all  their  pence  of  the  devil,  and  they 
are  sure  of  more,  when  the  shot  begins  to  run  low 
m  the  locker." 

Leaving  the  negro  to  collect  the  money,  and  to 
transfer  it,  as  in  duty  bound,  to  the  hands  of  him 
who,  if  not  his  master,  was  at  all  times  ready  and 
willing  to  exercise  the  authority  of  one,  we  shall 
follow  the  stranger  in  his  walk  toward  the  tottering 
edifice.  There  was  little  about  the  ruin  itself  to  at 
tract  the  attention  of  one  who,  from  his  assertions, 
had  probably  often  enjoyed  the  opportunities  of  ex 
amining  far  more  imposing  remains  of  former  ages, 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic.  It  was  a  small 


THE    RED    ROVER. 

circular  tower,  which  stood  on  rude  pillars,  connect 
ed  by  arches,  and  might  have  been  constructed,  in 
the  infancy  of  the  country,  as  a  place  of  defence, 
though  it  is  far  more  probable  that  it  was  a  work 
of  a  less  warlike  nature.  More  than  half  a  century 
after  the  period  of  which  we  are  writing,  this  little 
edifice,  peculiar  in  its  form,  its  ruinous  condition, 
and  its  materials,  has  suddenly  become  the  study 
and  the  theme  of  that  very  learned  sort  of  individu 
al,  the  American  antiquarian.  It  is  not  surprising1 
that  a  ruin  thus  honoured  should  have  become  the 
object  of  many  a  hot  and  erudite  discussion.  While 
the  chivalrous  in  the  arts  and  in  the  antiquities  of 
the  country  have  been  gallantly  breaking  their  lances 
around  the  mouldering  walls,  the  less  instructed  and 
the  less  zealous  have  regarded  the  combatants  with 
the  same  species  of  wonder  as  they  would  have  man 
ifested  had  they  been  present  when  the  renowned 
knight  of  La  Mancha  tilted  against  those  other  wind 
mills,  so  ingeniously  described  by  the  immortal  Cer 
vantes. 

On  reaching  the  place,  the  stranger  in  green  gave 
his  boot  a  smart  blow  with  the  riding  whip,  as  if  to 
attract  the  attention  of  the  abstracted  young  sailor, 
and  freely  remarked, — 

"  A  very  pretty  object  this  would  be,  if  covered 
with  ivy,  to  be  seen  peeping  through  an  opening  in 
a  wood.  But  I  beg  pardon  ;  gentlemen  of  your  pro 
fession  have  little  to  do  with  woods  and  crumbling 
stones.  Yonder  is  the  tower,"  pointing  to  the  tall 
masts  of  the  ship  in  the  outer  harbour,  "  you  love  to 
look  on  ;  and  your  only  ruin  is  a  wreck  !" 

"  You  seem  familiar  with  our  tastes,  sir,"  coldly 
returned  the  other. 

"  It  is  by  instinct,  then ;  for  it  is  certain  I  have 
had  but  little  opportunity  of  acquiring  my  knowledge 
by  actual  communion  with  any  of  the — cloth ;  nor 
do  I  perceive  that  I  am  Jikely  to  be  more  fortunate 


THE   RED    ROVER.  53 

at  present.  Let  us  be  frank,  my  friend,  and  talk  in 
amity :  What  do  you  see  about  this  pile  of  stones, 
that  can  keep  you  so  long  from  your  study  of  yonder 
noble  and  gallant  ship  ?" 

"  Did  it  then  surprise,  you  that  a  seaman  out  of 
employment  should  examine  a  vessel  that  he  finds 
to  his  mind,  perhaps  with  an  intention  to  ask  for 
service?" 

"  Her  commander  must  be  a  dull  fellow,  if  he  re 
fuse  it  to  so  proper  a  lad !  But  you  seem  to  be  too 
well  instructed  for  any  of  the  meaner  births." 

"  Births  !"  repeated  the  other,  again  fastening  his 
eyes,  with  a  singular  .expression,  on  the  stranger  in 
green. 

"  Births  !  It  is  your  nautical  word  for  l  situation,' 
or  '  station ;'  is  it  not  ?  We  know  but  little  of  the 
marine  vocabulary,  we  barristers  ;  but  I  think  I  may 
venture  on  that  as  the  true  Doric.  Am  I  justified  by 
your  authority  ?" 

"  The  word  is  certainly  not  yet  obsolete ;  and,  by 
a  figure,  it  is  as  certainly  correct  in  the  sense  you 
used  it." 

"  Obsolete !"  repeated  the  stranger  in  green,  re 
turning  the  meaning  look  he  had  just  received :  "  Is 
that  the  name  of  any  part  of  a  ship  ?  Perhaps,  by 
figure,  you  mean  figure-head ;  and,  by  obsolete,  the 
long-boat !" 

The  young  seaman  laughed  ;  and,  as  if  this  sally 
had  broken  through  the  barrier  of  his  reserve,  his 
manner  lost  much  of  its  cold  restraint  during  the  re 
mainder  of  their  conference. 

"  It  is  just  as  plain,"  he  said,  "  that  you  have  been 
at  sea,  as  it  is  that  I  have  been  at  school.  Since  we 
have  both  been  so  fortunate,  we  may  afford  to  be  gen 
erous,  and  cease  speaking  in  parables.  For  instance, 
what  think  you  has  been  the  object  and  use  of  this 
ruin,  when  it  was  in  good  condition  ?" 

"  In  order  to  judge  of  that,"  returned  the  stranger 

E2 


54  THE    RED    ROVER. 

in  green,  "  it  may  be  neco&sary  to  examine  it  more 
closely.  Let  us  ascend." 

As  he  spoke,  the  barrister  mounted,  by  a  crazy 
ladder,  to  the  floor  which  lay  just  above  the  crown  of 
the  arches,  through  which  he  passed  by  an  open  trap 
door.  His  companion  hesitated  to  follow ;  but,  ob 
serving  that  the  other  expected  him  at  the  summit 
of  the  ladder,  and  that  he  very  kindly  pointed  out  a 
defective  round,  he  sprang  forward,  and  went  up  the 
ascent  with  the  agility  and  steadiness  peculiar  to  his 
calling. 

"  Here  we  are  !"  exclaimed  the  stranger  in  green, 
looking  about  at  the  naked  walls,  which  were  formed 
of  such  small  and  irregular  stones  as  to  give  the 
building  the  appearance  of  dangerous  frailty,  "  with 
good  oaken  plank  for  our  deck,  as  you  would  say, 
and  the  sky  for  our  roof,  as  we  call  the  upper  part 
of  a  house  at  the  universities.  Now  let  us  speak  of 
things  on  the  lower  world.  A — a — ;  I  forget  what 
you  said  was  your  usual  appellation — " 

"  That  might  depend  on  circumstances.  I  have 
been  known  by  different  names  in  different  situa 
tions.  However,  if  you  call  me  Wilder,  I  shall  not 
fail  to  answer." 

"  Wilder !"  a  good  name ;  though,  I  dare  say,  it 
would  have  been  as  true  were  it  Wildone.  You 
young  ship-boys  have  the  character  of  being  a  little 
erratic  in  your  humours  at  times.  How  many  tender 
hearts  have  you  left  to  sigh  for  your  errors,  amid 
shady  bowers,  while  you  have  been  ploughing — thai 
is  the  word,  I  believe — ploughing  the  salt-sea  ocean  ? v 

"  Few  sigh  for  me,"  returned  Wilder,  thoughtfully, 
though  he  evidently  began  to  chafe  a  little  under 
this  free  sort  of  catechism.  "  Let  us  now  return  to 
our  study  of  the  tower.  What  think  you  has  been 
its  object  ?" 

"  Its  present  use  is  plain,  and  its  former  use  can 
be  no  great  mystery.  It  holds  at  this  moment  two 


THE    RED    HOVER.  55 

light  hearts ;  and,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  as  many  light 
heads,  not  overstocked  with  the  stores  of  wisdom. 
Formerly  it  had  its  granaries  of  corn,  at  least,  and,  1 
doubt  not,  certain  little  quadrupeds,  who  were  quite 
as  light  of  fingers  as  we  are  of  head  and  heart.  In 
plain  English,  it  has  been  a  mill." 

"  There  are  those  who  think  it  had  been  a  for 
tress." 

"  Kum  i  The  place  might  do,  at  need,"  returned 
he  in  green,  casting  a  rapid  and  peculiar  glance 
around  him.  "  But  mill  it  has  been,  notwithstanding 
one  might  wish  it  a  nobler  origin.  The  windy  situ 
ation,  the  pillars  to  keep  off  the  invading  vermin, 
the  shape,  the  air,  the  very  complexion,  prove  it. 
Whir-r-r,  whir-r-r;  there  has  been  clatter  enough 
here  in  time  past,  I  warrant  you.  Hist !  It  is  not 
done  yet !" 

Stepping  lightly  to  one  of  the  little  perforations 
which  had  once  served  as  windows  to  the  tower,  he 
cautiously  thrust  his  head  through  the  opening ;  and, 
after  gazing  there  half  a  minute,  he  withdrew  it  again, 
making  a  gesture  to  the  attentive  Wilder  to  be  silent. 
The  latter  complied ;  nor  was  it  long  before  the  na 
ture  of  the  interruption  was  sufficiently  explained. 

The  silvery  voice  of  woman  was  first  heard  at  a 
little  distance ;  and  then,  as  the  speakers  drew  nigh- 
er,  the  sounds  arose  directly  from  beneath,  within 
the  very  shadow  of  the  tower.  By  a  sort  of  tacit 
consent,  Wilder  and  the  barrister  chose  spots  favour 
able  to  the  execution  of  such  a  purpose ;  and  each 
continued,  during  the  time  the  visiters  remained  near 
the  ruin,  examining  their  persons,  unseen  themselves, 
and  we  are  sorry  we  must  do  so  much  violence  to 
the  breeding  of  two  such  important  characters  in  our 
legend,  amused  and  attentive  listeners  also  to  their 
conversation 


56  THE    RED    ROVER. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

"They  fool  me  to  the  top  of  my  bent."— Hamlet. 

THE  party  below  consisted  of  four  individuals,  all 
of  whom  were  females.  One  was  a  lady  in  the  de 
cline  of  her  years ;  another  was  past  the  middle  age 
the  third  was  on  the  very  threshold  of  what  is  called 
"life,"  as  it  is  applied  to  intercourse  with  the  world ; 
and  the  fourth  was  a  negress,  who  might  have  seen 
some  five-and-twenty  revolutions  of  the  seasons. 
The  latter,  at  that  time,  and  in  that  country,  of  course 
appeared  only  in  the  character  of  a  humble,  though 
perhaps  favoured  domestic. 

"  And  now,  my  child,  that  I  have  given  you  all 
the  advice  which  circumstances  and  your  own  ex 
cellent  heart  need,"  said  the  elderly  lady,  among 
the  first  words  that  were  distinctly  intelligible  to  the 
listeners,  "  I  will  change  the  ungracious  oftice  to  one 
more  agreeable.  You  will  tell  your  father  of  my 
continued  affection,  and  of  the  promise  he  has  given, 
that  you  are  to  return  once  again,  before  we  separate 
for  the  last  time." 

This  speech  was  addressed  to  the  younger  female, 
and  was  apparently  received  with  as  much  tender 
ness  and  sincerity  as  it  was  uttered.  The  one  who 
was  addressed  raised  her  eyes,  which  were  glittering 
with  tears  she  evidently  struggled  to  conceal,  and 
answered  in  a  voice  that  sounded  in  the  ears  of  the 
two  youthful  listeners  like  the  notes  of  the  Syren,  so 
very  sweet  and  musical  were  its  tones. 

"  It  is  useless  to  remind  me  of  a  promise,  my  be 
loved  aunt,  which  I  have  so  much  interest  in  remem 
bering,"  she  said.  "  I  hope  for  even  more  than  you 
have  perhaps  dared  to  wish ;  if  my  father  does  not 
return  with  me  in  the  spring,  it  shall  not  be  for  want 
of  urging  on  my  part." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  57 

"  Our  good  Wyllys  will  lend  her  aid,"  returned 
the  aunt,  smiling  and  bowing  to  the  third  female, 
with  that  mixture  of  suavity  and  form  which  was 
peculiar  to  the  stately  manners  of  the  time,  and 
which  was  rarely  neglected,  when  a  superior  ad 
dressed  an  inferior.  "  She  is  entitled  to  command 
some  interest  with  General  Grayson,  from  her  fidel 
ity  and  services. 

»'  She  is  entitled  to  every  thing  that  love  and  heart 
can  give !"  exclaimed  the  niece,  with  a  haste  and 
earnestness  that  proclaimed  how  willingly  she  would 
temper  the  formal  politeness  of  the  other  by  the 
warmth  of  her  own  affectionate  manner ;  "  my  father 
will  scarcely  refuse  her  any  thing." 

"  And  have  we  the  assurance  of  Mrs  Wyllys  that 
she  will  be  in  our  interests  ?"  demanded  the  aunt, 
without  permitting  her  own  sense  of  propriety  to  be 
overcome  by  the  stronger  feelings  of  her  niece ; 
"  with  so  powerful  an  ally,  our  league  will  be  invin 
cible." 

"  I  am  so  entirely  of  opinion,  that  the  salubrious 
air  of  this  healthful  island  is  of  great  importance 
to  my  young  charge,  Madam,  that,  were  all  other 
considerations  wanting,  the  little  I  can  do  to  aid  your 
wishes  shall  be  sure  to  be  done." 

Wyllys  spoke  with  dignity,  and  perhaps  with  some 
portion  of  that  reserve  which  distinguished  all  the 
communications  between  the  wealthy  and  high-born 
aunt  and  the  salaried  and  dependent  governess  of 
her  brother's  heiress.  Still  her  manner  was  gentle, 
and  the  voice,  like  that  of  her  pupil,  soft  and  strik 
ingly  feminine. 

"  We  may  then  consider  the  victory  as  achieved, 
as  my  late  husband  the  Rear- Admiral  was  accustom 
ed  to  say.  Admiral  de  Lacey,  my  dear  Mrs  Wyllys, 
adopted  it  in  early  life  as  a  maxim,  by  which  all  his 
future  conduct  was  governed,  and  by  adhering  to 
which  he  acquirer?  no  small  share  of  his  professional 


58  THE   RED   ROVER. 

reputation,  that,  in  order  to  be  successful,  it  was  only 
necessary  to  be  determined  one  would  be  so; — a 
noble  and  inspiriting  rule,  and  one  that  could  not  fail 
to  lead  to  those  signal  results  which,  as  we  all  know 
them,  I  need  not  mention." 

Wyllys  bowed  her  head,  in  acknowledgment  of  the 
truth  of  the  opinion,  and  in  testimony  of  the  renown 
of  the  deceased  Admiral ;  but  did  not  think  it  neces 
sary  to  make  any  reply.  Instead  of  allowing  the 
subject  to  occupy  her  mind  any  longer,  she  turned 
to  her  young  pupil,  and  observed,  speaking  in  a  voice 
and  with  a  manner  from  which  every  appearance  of 
restraint  was  banished, — 

"  Gertrude,  my  love,  you  will  have  pleasure  in 
returning  to  this  charming  island,  and  to  these  cheer 
ing  sea  breezes." 

"  And  to  my  aunt !"  exclaimed  Gertrude.  "  I  wish 
my  father  could  be  persuaded  to  dispose  of  his  estates 
in  Carolina,  and  come  northward,  to  reside  the  whole 
year." 

"  It  is  not  quite  as  easy  for  an  affluent  proprietor 
to  remove  as  you  may  imagine,  my  child,"  returned 
Mrs  de  Lacey.  "  Much  as  I  wish  that  some  such 
plan  could  be  adopted,  I  never  press  my  brother  on 
the  subject.  Besides,  I  am  not  certain,  that,  if  we 
were  ever  to  make  another  change  in  the  family,  it 
would  not  be  to  return  home  altogether.  It  is  now 
more  than  a  century,  Mrs  Wyllys,  since  the  Graysons 
came  into  the  colonies,  in  a  moment  of  dissatisfaction 
with  the  government  in  England.  My  great-grand 
father,  sir  Everard,  was  displeased  with  his  second 
son,  and  the  dissension  led  my  grandfather  to  the 
province  of  Carolina.  But,  as  the  breach  has  long 
since  been  healed,  I  often  think  my  brother  and  my 
self  may  yet  return  to  the  halls  of  our  ancestors. 
Much  will,  however,  depend  on  the  manner  in  which 
we  dispose  of  our  treasure  on  this  side  of  the  At 
lantic." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  ,59 

As  the  really  well-meaning,  though,  perhaps,  a 
little  too  much  self-satisfied  lady  concluded  her  re 
mark,  she  glanced  her  eye  at  the  perfectly  uncon 
scious  subject  of  the  close  of  her  speech.  Gertrude 
had,  as  usual,  when  her  aunt  chose  to  favour  her 
governess  with  any  of  her  family  reminiscences, 
turned  her  head  aside,  and  was  now  offering  her 
cheek,  burning  with  health,  and  perhaps  a  little  with 
shame,  to  the  cooling  influence  of  the  evening  breeze. 
The  instant  the  voice  of  Mrs  de  Lacey  had  ceased, 
she  turned  hastily  to  her  companions  ;  and,  pointing 
to  a  noble-looking  ship,  whose  masts,  as  it  lay  in  the 
inner  harbour,  were  seen  rising  above  the  roofs  of 
the  town,  she  exclaimed,  as  if  glad  to  change  the 
subject  in  any  manner, — 

"  And  yonder  gloomy  prison  is  to  be  our  home, 
dear  Mrs  Wyllys,  for  the  next  month !" 

"  I  hope  your  dislike  to  the  sea  has  magnified  the 
time,"  mildly  returned  her  governess  ;  "  the  passage 
between  this  place  and  Carolina  has  been  often  made 
in  a  shorter  period." 

"  That  it  has  been  so  done,  I  can  testify,"  resumed 
the  Admiral's  widow,  adhering  a  little  pertinacious 
ly  to  a  train  of  thoughts,  which,  once  thoroughly 
awakened  in  her  bosom,  was  not  easily  diverted  into 
another  channel,  "  since  my  late  estimable  and  (I 
feel  certain  all  who  hear  me  will  acquiesce  when  I 
add)  gallant  husband  once  conducted  a  squadron  of 
his  Royal  Master,  from  one  extremity  of  his  Majesty's 
American  dominions  to  the  other,  in  a  time  less  than 
that  named  by  my  niece :  It  may  have  made  some 
difference  in  his  speed  that  he  was  in  pursuit  of  the 
enemies  of  his  King  and  country,  but  still  the  fact 
proves  that  the  voyage  can  be  made  within  the 
month." 

"  There  is  that  dreadful  Henlopen,  with  its  sandy 
shoals  and  shipwrecks  on  one  hand,  and  that  stream 


60  THE    RED    ROVER. 

they  call  the  Gulf  on  the  other!"  exclaimed  Ger 
trude,  with  a  shudder,  and  a  burst  of  natural  female 
terror,  which  makes  timidity  sometimes  attractive, 
when  exhibited  in  the  person  of  youth  and  beauty. 
"  If  it  were  not  for  Henlopen,  and  its  gales,  and  its 
shoals,  and  its  gulfs,  I  could  think  only  of  the  pleasure 
of  meeting  my  father." 

Mrs  Wyllys,  who  never  encouraged  her  pupil  in 
those  natural  weaknesses,  however  pretty  and  be 
coming  they  might  appear  to  other  eyes,  turned  with 
a  steady  mien  to  the  young  lady,  as  she  remarked, 
with  a  brevity  and  decision  that  were  intended  to  put 
the  question  of  fear  at  rest  for  ever, — 

"  If  all  the  dangers  you  appear  to  apprehend  ex 
isted  in  reality,  the  passage  would  not  be  made  daily, 
or  even  hourly,  in  safety.  You  have  often,  Madam, 
come  from  the  Carolinas  by  sea,  in  company  with 
Admiral  de  Lacey  ?" 

"  Never,"  the  widow  promptly  and  a  little  drily 
remarked.  "  The  water  has  not  agreed  with  my 
constitution,  and  I  have  never  neglected  to  journey 
by  land.  But  then  you  know,  Wyllys,  as  the  con 
sort  and  relict  of  a  flag-officer,  it  was  not  seemly 
that  I  should  be  ignorant  of  naval  science.  I  believe 
there  are  few  ladies  in  the  British  empire  who  are 
more  familiar  with  ships,  either  singly  or  in  squad 
ron,  particularly  the  latter,  than  myself.  This  in 
formation  I  have  naturally  acquired,  as  the  compan 
ion  of  an  officer,  whose  fortune  it  was  to  lead  fleets. 
I  presume  these  are  matters  of  which  you  are  pro 
foundly  ignorant." 

The  calm,  dignified  countenance  of  Wyllys,  on 
which  it  would  seem  as  if  long  cherished  and  painful 
recollections  had  left  a  settled,  but  mild  expression 
of  sorrow,  that  rather  tempered  than  destroyed  the 
traces  of  character  which  were  still  remarkable  in 
icr  firm  collected  eye,  became  clouded,  for  a  mo- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  61 

ment,  with  a  deeper  shade  of  melancholy.  After 
hesitating,  as  if  willing  to  change  the  subject,  she 
replied, — 

"  1  have  not  been  altogether  a  stranger  to  the  sea. 
It  has  been  my  lot  to  have  made  many  long,  and 
some  perilous  voyages." 

"  As  a  mere  passenger.  But  we  wives  of  sailors 
only,  among  our  sex,  can  lay  claim  to  any  real 
knowledge  of  the  noble  profession !  What  natural 
object  is  there,  or  can  there  be,"  exclaimed  the  nau 
tical  dowager,  in  a  burst  of  professional  enthusiasm, 
"  finer  than  a  stately  ship  breasting  the  billows,  as  I 
have  heard  the  Admiral  say  a  thousand  times,  its 
taffrail  ploughing  the  main,  and  its  cut-water  gliding 
after,  like  a  sinuous  serpent  pursuing  its  shining 
wake,  as  a  living  creature  choosing  its  path  on  the 
land,  and  leaving  the  bone  under  its  fore-foot,  a  bea 
con  for  those  that  follow  ?  I  know  not,  my  dear 
Wyllys,  if  I  make  myself  intelligible  to  you,  but,  to 
my  instructed  eye,  this  charming  description  conveys 
a  picture  of  all  that  is  grand  and  beautiful !" 

The  latent  smile,  on  the  countenance  of  the  gov 
erness,  might  have  betrayed  that  she  was  imagining 
the  deceased  Admiral  had  not  been  altogether  devoid 
of  the  waggery  of  his  vocation,  had  not  a  slight  noise, 
which  sounded  like  the  rustling  of  the  wind,  but 
which  in  truth  was  suppressed  laughter,  proceeded 
from  the  upper  room  of  the  tower.  The  words,  "  It 
is  lovely !"  were  still  on  the  lips  of  the  youthful 
Gertrude,  who  saw  all  the  beauty  of  the  picture  her 
aunt  had  essayed  to  describe,  without  descending  to 
the  humble  employment  of  verbal  criticism.  But 
her  voice  became  hushed,  and  her  attitude  that  of 
startled  attention : — 

"  Did  you  hear  nothing  ?"  she  said. 

"  The  rats  have  not  yet  altogether  deserted  the 
mill."  was  the  calm  reply  of  Wyllys. 

F 


62  THE    RED   ROVER. 

"  Mill !  my  dear  Mrs  Wyllys,  will  you  persist  in 
calling  this  picturesque  ruin  a  mill?" 

44  However  fatal  it  may  be  to  its  charms,  in  the 
eyes  of  eighteen,  I  must  call  it  a  mill." 

44  Ruins  are  not  so  plenty  in  this  country,  my  dear 
governess,"  returned  her  pupil,  laughing,  while  the 
ardour  of  her  eye  denoted  how  serious  she  was  in 
defending  her  favourite  opinion,  "  as  to  justify  us  in 
robbing  them  of  any  little  claims  to  interest  they  may 
happen  to  possess." 

"  Then,  happier  is  the  country !  Ruins  in  a  land 
are,  like  most  of  the  signs  of  decay  in  the  human 
form,  sad  evidences  of  abuses  and  passions,  which 
have  hastened  the  inroads  of  time.  These  provinces 
are  like  yourself,  my  Gertrude,  in  their  freshness  and 
their  youth,  and,  comparatively,  in  their  innocence 
also.  Let  us  hope  for  both  a  long,  an  useful,  and  a 
happy  existence." 

"  Thank  you  for  myself,  and  for  my  country ;  but 
still  I  can  never  admit  this  picturesque  ruin  has  been 
a  mill." 

44  Whatever  it  may  have  been,  it  has  long  occupied 
its  present  place,  and  has  the  appearance  of  continu 
ing  where  it  is  much  longer,  which  is  more  than  can 
be  said  of  our  prison,  as  you  call  yonder  stately  ship, 
in  which  we  are  so  soon  to  embark.  Unless  my  eyes 
deceive  me,  Madam,  those  masts  are  moving  slowly 
past  the  chimnies  of  the  town." 

44  You  are  very  right,  Wyllys.  The  seamen  are 
towing  the  vessel  into  the  outer  harbour,  where  they 
will  warp  her  fast  to  the  anchors,  and  thus  secure 
her,  until  they  shall  be  ready  to  unmake  their  sails, 
in  order  to  put  to  sea  in  the  morning.  This  is  a 
manoeuvre  often  performed,  and  one  whicn  the  Ad 
miral  has  so  clearly  explained,  that  I  should  find  little 
difficulty  in  superintending  it  in  my  own  person, 
were  it  suitable  to  my  sex  and  station." 


THE   RED   ROVER.  63 

"  This  is,  then,  a  hint  that  all  our  own  prepara 
tions  are  not  completed.  However  lovely  this  spot 
may  seem,  Gertrude,  we  must  now  leave  it,  for  some 
months  at  least." 

"  Yes,"  continued  Mrs  de  Lacey,  slowly  following 
the  footsteps  of  the  governess,  who  had  already  mov 
ed  from  beneath  the  ruin ;  "  whole  fleets  have  often 
been  towed  to  their  anchors,  and  there  warped,  wait 
ing  for  wind  and  tide  to  serve.  None  of  our  sex 
know  the  dangers  of  the  Ocean,  but  we  who  have 
been  bound  in  the  closest  of  all  ties  to  officers  of 
rank  and  great  service ;  and  none  others  can  ever 
truly  enjoy  the  real  grandeur  of  the  ennobling  pro 
fession.  A  charming,  object  is  a  vessel  cutting  the 
waves  with  her  taffrail,  and  chasing  her  wake  on  the 
trackless  waters,  like  a  courser  that  ever  keeps  in 
his  path,  though  dashing  madly  on  at  the  very  top  of 
his  speed  ! — " 

The  reply  of  Mrs  Wyllys  was  not  audible  to  the 
covert  listeners.  Gertrude  had  followed  her  com 
panions  ;  but,  when  at  some  little  distance  from  the 
tower,  she  paused,  to  take  a  parting  look  at  its  moul 
dering  walls.  A  profound  stillness  succeeded  for 
more  than  a  minute. 

"  There  is  something  in  that  pile  of  stones,  Cas 
sandra,"  she  said  to  the  jet-black  maiden  at  her  el 
bow,  "  that  could  make  me  wish  it  had  been  some 
thing  more  than  a  mill." 

"  There  rat  in  'em,"  returned  the  literal  and  sim 
pie-minded  black;   "you  hear  what  Misse  Wyllys 
say?" 

Gertrude  turned,  laughed,  patted  the  dark  cheek 
of  her  attendant,  with  fingers  that  looked  like  snow 
by  the  contrast,  as  if  to  chide  her  for  wishing  to  de 
stroy  the  pleasing  illusion  she  would  so  gladly  har 
bour,  and  then  bounded  down  the  hill  after  her  aunt 
and  governess,  like  a  joyous  and  youthful  Atalanta. 

The  two  singularly  consorted  listeners  in  the  tow- 


C4  THE    RED    ROVER. 

er  stood  gazing,  at  their  respective  look-outs,  so  long 
as  the  smallest  glimpse  of  the  flowing  robe  of  her 
light  form  was  to  be  seen  •  and  then  they  turned  to 
each  other,  and  stood  confronted,  the  eyes  of  each 
endeavouring  to  read  the  expression  of  his  neigh 
bour's  countenance. 

"  I  am  ready  to  make  an  affidavit  before  my  Lord 
High  Chancellor,"  suddenly  exclaimed  the  barrister, 
4  that  this  has  never  been  a  mill !" 

"  Your  opinion  has  undergone  a  sudden  change  !" 

44 1  am  open  to  conviction,  as  I  hope  to  be  a  judge. 
The  case  has  been  argued  by  a  powerful  advocate, 
and  I  have  lived  to  see  my  error." 

44  And  yet  there  are  rats  in  the  place." 

44  Land  rats,  or  water  rats  ?"  quickly  demanded 
the  other,  giving  his  companion  one  of  those  startling 
and  searching  glances,  which  his  keen  eye  had  so 
freely  at  command. 

44  Both,  I  believe,"  was  the  dry  and  caustic  reply ; 
44  certainly  the  former,  or  the  gentlemen  of  the  long 
robe  are  much  injured  by  report." 

The  barrister  laughed  ;  nor  did  his  temper  appear 
in  the  slightest  degree  ruffled  at  so  free  an  allusion  at 
his  learned  and  honourable  profession. 

44  You  gentlemen  of  the  Ocean  have  such  an  hon 
est  and  amusing  frankness  about  you,"  he  said,  44that 
I  vow  to  God  you  are  overwhelming.  I  am  a  down 
right  admirer  of  your  noble  calling,  and  something 
skilled  in  its  terms.  What  spectacle,  for  instance, 
can  be  finer  than  a  noble  ship  4  stemming  the  waves 
with  her  taffrail,'  and  chasing  her  wake,  like  a  racer 
on  the  course !" 

44  Leaving  the 4  bone  in  her  mouth'  under  her  stern, 
as  a  light-house  for  all  that  come  after !" 

Then,  as  if  they  found  singular  satisfaction  in 
dwelling  on  these  images  of  the  worthy  relict  of  the 
gallant  Admiral,  they  broke  out  simultaneously  into 
a  fit  of  clamorous  merriment,  that  caused  the  old 


THE    RED    ROVER.  65 

rain  to  ring,  as  in  its  best  days  of  windy  power.  The 
barrister  was  the  first  to  regain  his  self-command,  for 
the  mirth  of  the  young  mariner  was  joyous,  and 
without  the  least  restraint. 

"  But  this  is  dangerous  ground  for  any  but  a  sea 
man's  widow  to  touch,"  the  former  observed,  as  sud 
denly  causing  his  laughter  to  cease  as  he  had  admit 
ted  of  its  indulgence.  "  The  younger,  she  who  is  no 
lover  of  a  mill,  is  a  rare  and  lovely  creature !  it 
would  seem  that  she  is  the  niece  of  the  nautical 
critic." 

The  young  mariner  ceased  laughing  in  his  turn, 
as  though  he  were  suddenly  convinced  of  the  glaring 
impropriety  of  making  so  near  a  relative  of  the  fair 
vision  he  had  seen  the  subject  of  his  merriment. 
Whatever  might  have  been  his  secret  thoughts,  he 
was  content  with  replying, — 

"  She  so  declared  herself." 

"  Tell  me,"  said  the  barrister,  walking  close  to  the 
other,  like  one  who  communicated  an  important  se 
cret  in  the  question,  "  was  there  not  something  re 
markable,  searching,  extraordinary,  heart-touching, 
in  the  voice  of  her  they  called  Wyllys  ?" 

"Did  you  note  it?" 

"  It  sounded  to  me  like  the  tones  of  an  oracle — 
the  whisperings  of  fancy — the  very  words  of  truth ! 
It  was  a  strange  and  persuasive  voice !" 

"  I  confess  I  felt  its  influence,  and  in  a  way  for 
which  I  cannot  account !" 

"  It  amounts  to  infatuation  !"  returned  the  barris 
ter,  pacing  up  and  down  the  little  apartment,  every 
trace  of  humour  and  irony  having  disappeared  in  a 
look  of  settled  and  abstracted  care.  His  companion 
appeared  little  disposed  to  interrupt  his  meditations, 
but  stood  leaning  against  the  naked  walls,  himself 
the  subject  of  deep  and  sorrowful  reflection.  At 
length  the  former  shook  off  his  air  of  thought,  with 
that  startling  quickness  which  seemed  common  to 
F2 


66  THE    RED    ROVER. 

his  manner ;  he  approached  a  window,  and,  direct 
ing  the  attention  of  Wilder  to  the  ship  in  the  outer 
harbour,  abruptly  demanded, — 

"  Has  all  your  interest  in  yon  vessel  ceased  ?" 

"  Far  from  it ;  it  is  just  such  a  boat  as  a  seaman's 
eye  most  loves  to  study  !" 

"  Will  you  venture  to  board  her  ?" 

"  At  this  hour  ?  alone  ?  I  know  not  her  command 
er,  or  her  people." 

"  There  are  other  hours  beside  this,  and  a  sailor 
is  certain  of  a  frank  reception  from  his  messmates.11 

"  These  slavers  are  not  always  willing  to  be  board 
ed  ;  they  carry  arms,  and  know  how  to  keep  stran 
gers  at  a  distance." 

"  Are  there  no  watch-words,  in  the  masonry  of 
your  trade,  by  which  a  brother  is  known?  Such 
terms  as  l  stemming  the  waves  with  the  taffrail,1  for 
instance,  or  some  of  those  knowing  phrases  we  have 
lately  heard  ?" 

Wilder  kept  his  own  keen  look  on  the  counte 
nance  of  the  other,  as  he  thus  questioned  him,  and 
seemed  to  ponder  long  before  he  ventured  on  a 
reply. 

"  Why  do  you  demand  all  this  of  me  ?"  he  coldly 
asked. 

"  Because,  as  I  believe  that '  faint  heart  never  won 
fair  lady,'  so  do  I  believe  that  indecision  never  won 
a  ship.  You  wish  a  situation,  you  say ;  and,  if  I  were 
an  Admiral,  I  would  make  you  my  flag-captain.  At 
the  assizes,  when  wo  wish  a  brief,  we  have  our 
manner  of  letting  the  thing  be  known.  But  per 
haps  I  am  talking  too  much  at  random  for  an  utter 
stranger.  You  will  however  remember,  that,  though 
it  is  the  advice  of  a  lawyer,  it  is  given  gratuitously." 

"  And  is  it  the  more  to  be  relied  on  for  such  ex 
traordinary  liberality  ?" 

"  Of  that  you  must  judge  for  yourself,"  said  the 
stranger  in  green,  very  deliberately  putting  his  foot 


THE    RED    ROVER.  67 

on  the  ladder,  and  descending,  until  no  part  of  his 
person  but  his  head  was  seen.  "  Here  I  go,  literally 
cutting  the  waves  with  my  taffrail,"  he  added,  as  he 
descended  backwards,  and  seeming  to  take  great 
pleasure  in  laying  particular  emphasis  on  the  words. 
"  Adieu,  my  friend ;  if  we  do  not  meet  again,  I  en 
join  you  never  to  forget  the  rats  in  the  Newport 
turn." 

He  disappeared  as  he  concluded,  and  in  another 
instant  his  light  form  was  on  the  ground.  Turning 
with  the  most  admirable  coolness,  he  gave  the  bottom 
of  the  ladder  a  trip  with  one  of  his  feet,  and  laid  the 
only  means  of  descent  prostrate  on  the  earth.  Then, 
looking  up  at  the  wondering  Wilder,  he  nodded  his 
head  familiarly,  repeated  his  adieu,  and  passed  with 
a  swift  step  from  beneath  the  arches. 

"  This  is  extraordinary  conduct,"  muttered  Wil 
der,  who  was  by  the  process  left  a  prisoner  in  the 
ruin.  After  ascertaining  that  a  fall  from  the  trap 
might  endanger  his  legs,  the  young  sailor  ran  to  one 
of  the  windows  of  the  place,  in  order  to  reproach 
his  treacherous  comrade,  or  indeed  to  assure  himself 
that  lie  was  serious  in  thus  deserting  him.  The  bar 
rister  was  already  out  of  hailing  distance,  and,  before 
Wilder  had  time  to  decide  on  what  course  to  take, 
his  active  footsteps  had  led  him  into  the  skirts  of  the 
town,  among  the  buildings  of  which  his  person  became 
immediately  lost  to  the  eye. 

During  all  the  time  occupied  by  the  foregoing 
scenes  and  dialogue,  Fid  and  the  negro  had  been  dil 
igently  discussing  the  contents  of  the  bag,  under  the 
fence  where  they  were  last  seen.  As  the  appetite  of 
the  former  became  appeased,  his  didactic  disposition 
returned,  and,  at  the  precise  moment  when  Wilder 
was  left  alone  in  the  tower,  he  was  intently  engaged 
in  admonishing  the  black  on  the  delicate  subject  of 
behaviour  in  mixed  society. 

"  And  so  you  see,  Guinea,"  he  concluded,  "  in  or 


68  THE    RED    ROVER. 

der  to  keep  a  weather-helm  in  company,  you  are 
never  to  throw  all  aback,  and  go  stern  foremost  out 
of  a  dispute,  as  you  have  this  day  seen  fit  to  do 
According  to  my  Taming,  that  Master  Nightingale  is 
better  in  a  bar-room  than  in  a  squall ;  and  if  you  had 
just  luflfed-up  on  his  quarter,  when  you  saw  me  lay 
ing  myself  athwart  his  hawse  in  the  argument,  you 
see  we  should  have  given  him  a  regular  jam  in  the 
discourse,  and  then  the  fellow  would  have  been 
shamed  in  the  eyes  of  all  the  by-stand  ers.  Who 
hails?  what  cook  is  sticking  his  neighbour's  pig 
now?" 

"  Lor' !  Misser  Fid,"  cried  the  black,  "here  mas- 
ser  Harry,  wid  a  head  out  of  port-hole,  up  dereaway 
in  a  light-house,  singing-out  like  a  marine  in  a  boat 
wid  a  plug  out ! " 

"  Ay,  ay,  let  him  alone  for  hailing  a  top-gallant 
yard,  or  a  flying-jib-boom !  The  lad  has  a  voice  like 
a  French  horn,  when  he  has  a  mind  to  tune  it !  And 
what  the  devil  is  he  manning  the  guns  of  that  weath 
er-beaten  wreck  for  ?  At  all  events,  if  he  has  to  fight 
his  craft  alone,  there  is  no  one  to  blame  but  himself, 
since  he  has  gone  to  quarters  without  beat  of  drum, 
or  without,  in  any  other  manner,  seeing  fit  to  muster 
his  people." 

As  Dick  and  the  negro  had  both  been  making  the 
best  of  their  way  towards  the  ruin,  from  the  moment 
they  discovered  the  situation  of  their  friend,  by  this 
time  they  were  within  speaking  distance  of  the  spot 
itself.  Wilder,  in  those  brief,  pithy  tones  that  dis 
tinguish  the  manner  in  which  a  sea  officer  issues  his 
orders,  directed  them  to  raise  the  ladder.  When  he 
was  liberated,  he  demanded,  with  a  sufficiently  sig 
nificant  air,  if  they  had  observed  the  direction  in 
which  the  stranger  in  green  had  made  his  retreat  ? 

"  Do  you  mean  the  chap  in  boots,  who  was  for 
shoving  his  oar  into  another  man's  rullock,  a  bit  ago 
on  the  small  matter  of  wharf,  hereaway,  in  a  range 


THE  RED  ROVER.  69 

over  yonder  house,  bringing  the  north-east  chimney 
to  bear  in  a  line,  with  the  mizen-top-gallant-mast- 
head  of  that  ship  they  are  warping  into  the  stream?" 

"  The  very  same." 

"  He  made  a  slant  on  the  wind  until  he  had  weath 
ered  yonder  bit  of  a  barn,  and  then  he  tacked  and 
stretched  away  off  here  to  the  east-and-by-south, 
going  large,  and  with  studding  sails  alow  and  aloft, 
as  I  think,  for  he  made  a  devil  of  a  head-way." 

"  Follow,"  cried  Wilder,  starting  forward  in  the 
direction  indicated  by  Fid,  without  waiting  to  hear 
any  more  of  the  other's  characteristic  explanations. 

The  search,  however,  was  vain.  Although  they 
continued  their  inquiries  until  long  after  the  sun  had 
set,  no  one  could  give  them  the  smallest  tidings  of 
what  had  become  of  the  stranger  in  green.  Some 
had  seen  him,  and  marvelled  at  his  singular  costume, 
and  bold  and  wandering  look ;  but,  by  all  accounts, 
he  had  disappeared  from  the  town  as  strangely  and 
mysteriously  as  he  had  entered  it. 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  Are  you  so  brave  ?  I'll  have  you  talked  with  anon." 

Coriolanus. 

THE  good  people  of  the  town  of  Newport  sought 
their  rest  at  an  early  hour.  They  were  remarkable 
for  that  temperance  and  discretion  which,  even  to 
this  day,  distinguish  the  manners  of  the  inhabitants 
of  New-England.  By  ten,  the  door  of  every  house 
in  the  place  was  closed  for  the  night ;  and  it  is  quite 
probable,  that,  before  another  hour  had  passed, 
scarcely  an  eye  was  open,  among  all  those  which, 
throughout  the  day,  had  been  sufficiently  alert,  not 
only  to  superintend  the  interests  of  their  proper 


70  THE    RED    ROVER. 

owners,  but  to  spare  some  wholesome  glances  at  the 
concerns  of  the  rest  of  the  neighbourhood. 

The  landlord  of  the  "  Foul  Anchor,"  as  the  inn, 
where  Fid  and  Nightingale  had  so  nearly  come  to 
blows,  was  called,  scrupulously  closed  his  doors  at 
eight ;  a  sort  of  expiation,  by  which  he  endeavoured 
to  atone,  while  he  slept,  for  any  moral  peccadillos 
that  he  might  have  committed  during  the  day.  In 
deed,  it  was  to  be  observed  as  a  rule,  that  those  who 
had  the  most  difficulty  in  maintaining  their  good 
name,  on  the  score  of  temperance  and  moderation, 
were  the  most  rigid  in  withdrawing,  in  season,  from 
the  daily  cares  of  the  world.  The  Admiral's  widow 
had  given  no  little  scandal,  in  her  time,  because  lights 
were  so  often  seen  burning  in  her  house  long  after 
the  hour  prescribed  by  custom  for  their  extinction. 
Indeed,  there  were  several  other  little  particulars  in 
which  this  good  lady  had  rendered  herself  obnoxious 
to  the  whispered  remarks  of  some  of  her  female  visit- 
tints.  An  Episcopalian  herself,  she  was  always  ob 
served  to  be  employed  with  her  needle  on  the  evenings 
of  Saturdays,  though  by  no  means  distinguished  for 
her  ordinary  industry.  It  was,  however,  a  sort  of  man 
ner  the  good  lady  had  of  exhibiting  her  adherence 
to  the  belief  that  the  night  of  Sunday  was  the  ortho 
dox  evening  of  the  Sabbath.  On  this  subject  there 
was,  in  truth,  a  species  of  silent  warfare  between 
herself  and  the  wife  of  the  principal  clergyman  of 
the  town.  It  resulted,  happily,  in  no  very  striking 
marks  of  hostility.  The  latter  was  content  to  retal 
iate,  by  bringing  her  work,  on  the  evenings  of  Sun 
days,  to  the  house  of  the  dowager,  and  occasionally 
interrupting  their  discourse,  by  a  diligent  application 
of  the  needle  for  some  five  or  six  minutes  at  a  time. 
Against  this  contamination  Mrs  de  Lacey  took  no 
other  precaution  than  to  play  with  the  leaves  of  a 
prayer  book,  precisely  on  the  principle  that  one 


THE    RED    ROVER.  71 

uses  holy  water  to  keep  the  devil  at  that  distance 
which  the  Church  has  considered  safest  for  its  pros 
elytes. 

Let  these  matters  he  as  they  would,  hy  ten  o'clock 
on  the  night  of  the  day  our  tale  commences,  the 
town  of  Newport  was  as  still  as  though  it  did  not 
contain  a  living  soul.  Watchmen  there  were  none  ; 
for  roguery  had  not  yet  begun  to  thrive  openly  in 
the  provinces.  When,  therefore,  Wilder  and  his 
two  companions  issued,  at  that  hour,  from  their 
place  of  retirement  into  the  empty  streets,  they 
found  them  as  still  as  if  man  had  never  trod  there. 
Not  a  candle  was  to  he  seen,  nor  the  smallest  evi 
dence  of  human  life  to  he  heard.  It  would  seem 
our  adventurers  knew  their  errand  well ;  for,  instead 
of  knocking  up  any  of  the  drowsy  publicans  to  de 
mand  admission,  they  held  their  way  steadily  to  the 
water's  side ;  Wilder  leading,  Fid  coming  next,  and 
Scipio,  in  conformity  to  all  usage,  bringing  up  the 
rear,  in  his  ordinary,  quiet,  submissive  manner. 

At  the  margin  of  the  water  they  found  several 
small  boats,  moored  under  the  shelter  of  a  neigh 
bouring  wharf.  Wilder. gave  his  companions  their 
directions,  and  walked  to  a  place  convenient  for 
embarking.  After  waiting  the  necessary  time,  the 
bows  of  two  boats  came  to  the  land  at  the  same 
moment,  one  of  which  was  governed  by  the  hands 
of  the  negro,  and  the  other  by  those  of  Fid. 

"  How's  this  ?"  demanded  Wilder ;  "  Is  not  one 
enough?  There  is  some  mistake  between  you." 

"  No  mistake  at  all,"  responded  Dick,  suffering 
his  oar  to  float  on  its  blade,  and  running  his  fingers 
into  his  hair,  as  if  he  was  content  with  his  achieve 
ment;  "no  more  mistake  than  there  is  in  taking  the 
sun  on  a  clear  day  and  in  smooth  water.  Guinea 
is  in  the  boat  you  hired;  but  a  bad  bargain  you 
made  of  it,  as  I  thought  at  the  time ;  and  so,  as 
better  late  than  never '  is  my  rule,  I  have  just  been 


72  THE    RED    ROVER. 

casting  an  eye  over  all  the  craft ;  if  this  is  not  the 
tightest  and  fastest  rowing  clipper  of  them  all,  then 
am  I  no  judge  ;  and  yet  the  parish  priest  would  tell 
you,  if  he  were  here,  that  my  father  was  a  boat- 
builder,  ay,  and  swear  it  too ;  that  is  to  say,  if  you 
paid  him  well  for  the  same." 

"  Fellow,"  returned  Wilder,  angrily,  "  you  will 
one  day  induce  me  to  turn  you  adrift.  Return  the 
boat  to  the  place  where  you  found  it,  and  see  it  se 
cured  in  the  same  manner  as  before." 

"  Turn  me  adrift !"  deliberately  repeated  Fid, 
ft  that  would  be  cutting  all  your  weather  lanyards  at 
one  blow,  master  Harry.  Little  good  would  come 
of  Scipio  Africa  and  you,  after  I  should  part  compa 
ny.  Have  you  ever  fairly  logg'd  the  time  we  have 
sailed  together?" 

"  Ay,  have  I ;  but  it  is  possible  to  break  even  a 
friendship  of  twenty  years." 

"  Saving  your  presence,  master  Harry,  I'll  be 

d d  if  I  believe  any  such  thing.    Here  is  Guinea, 

who  is  no  better  than  a  nigger,  and  therein  far  from 
being  a  fitting  messmate  to  a  white  man ;  but,  being 
used  to  look  at  his  black  face  for  four-and-twenty 
years,  d'ye  see,  the  colour  has  got  into  my  eye,  and 
now  it  suits  as  well  as  another.  Then,  at  sea,  in  a 
dark  night,  it  is  not  so  easy  a  matter  to  tell  the  dif 
ference.  No,  no,  I  am  not  tired  of  you  yet,  master 
Harry  ;  and  it  is  no  trifle  that  shall  part  us." 

"  Then,  abandon  your  habit  of  making  free  with 
the  property  of  others." 

"  I  abandon  nothing.  No  man  can  say  he  ever 
knowed  me  to  quit  a  deck  while  a  plank  stuck  to 
the  beams  ;  and  shall  I  abandon,  as  you  call  it,  my 
rights  ?  What  is  the  mighty  matter,  that  all  hands 
must  be  called  to  see  an  old  sailor  punished  ?  You 
gave  a  lubberly  fisherman,  a  fellow  who  has  never 
been  in  deeper  water  than  his  own  line  will  sound, 
you  gave  him,  I  say,  a  glittering  Spaniard,  just  for  the 


THE    RED    ROVER.  73 

use  of  a  bit  of  a  skiff  for  the  night,  or,  mayhap,  for  a 
small  reach  into  the  morning.  Well,  what  does  Dick 

do '?  He  says  to  himself — for  d e  if  he's  any 

blab  to  run  round  a  ship  grumbling  at  his  officer — 
so,  he  just  says  to  himself,  *  That's  too  much ;'  and 
he  looks  about,  to  find  the  worth  of  it  in  some  of  the 
fisherman's  neighbours.  Money  can  be  eaten  ;  and, 
what  is  better,  it  may  be  drunk  ;  therefore,  it  is  not 
to  be  pitched  overboard  with  the  cook's  ashes.  I'll 
warrant  me,  if  the  truth  could  be  fairly  come  by,  it 
would  be  found  that,  as  to  the  owners  of  this  here 
yawl,  and  that  there  skiff,  their  mothers  are  cousins, 
and  that  the  dollar  will  go  in  snuff  and  strong  drink 
among  the  whole  family — so,  no  great  harm  done, 
after  all." 

Wilder  made  an  impatient  gesture  to  the  other  to 
obey,  and  walked  up  the  bank,  while  he  had  time  to 
comply.  Fid  never  disputed  a  positive  and  distinct 
order,  though  he  often  took  so  much  discretionary 
latitude  in  executing  those  which  were  less  precise. 
He  did  not  hesitate,  therefore,  to  return  the  boat ; 
but  he  did  not  carry  his  subordination  so  far  as  to 
do  it  without  complaint.  When  this  act  of  justice 
was  performed,  Wilder  entered  the  skiff;  and,  see 
ing  that  his  companions  were  seated  at  their  oars,  he 
bade  them  to  pull  down  the  harbour,  admonishing 
them,  at  the  same  time,  to  make  as  little  noise  as 
possible. 

"  The  night  I  rowed  you  into  Louisbourg,  a-recon- 
noitring,"  said  Fid,  thrusting  his  left  hand  into  his 
bosom,  while,  with  his  right,  he  applied  sufficient 
force  to  the  light  oar  to  make  the  skiff  glide  swiftly 
over  the  water — "  that  night  we  muffled  every  thing, 
even  to  our  tongues.  When  there  is  occasion  to  put 
stoppers  on  the  mouths  of  a  boat's  crew,  why,  I'm 
not  the  man  to  gainsay  it ;  but,  as  I  am  one  of  them 
that  thinks  tongues  were  just  as  much  made  to  talk 
with,  as  the  sea  was  made  to  live  on,  1  uphold  rational 
G 


74  THE    RED    ROVER. 

conversation  in  sober  society.  S'ip,  you  Guinea 
where  are  you  shoving  the  skiff  to  ?  hereaway  liea 
the  island,  and  you  are  for  going  into  yonder  bit  of 
a  church." 

"  Lay  on  your  oars,"  interrupted  Wilder ;  "  let 
the  boat  drift  by  this  vessel." 

They  were  now  in  the  act  of  passing  the  ship, 
which  had  been  warping  from  the  wharfs  to  an  an 
chorage,  and  in  which  the  young  sailor  had  so  clan 
destinely  heard  that  Mrs  Wyllys  and  the  fascinating 
Gertrude  were  to  embark,  on  the  following  morning, 
"or  the  distant  province  of  Carolina.  As  the  skiff 
floated  past,  Wilder  examined  the  vessel,  by  the  dim 
light  of  the  stars,  with  a  seaman's  eye.  No  part  of 
her  hull,  her  spars,  or  her  rigging,  escaped  his  notice ; 
and,  when  the  whole  became  confounded,  by  the 
distance,  in  one  dark  mass  of  shapeless  matter,  he 
leaned  his  head  over  the  side  of  his  little  bark,  and 
mused  long  and  deeply  with  himself.  To  this  ab 
straction  Fid  presumed  to  offer  no  interruption.  It 
had  the  appearance  of  professional  duty ;  a  subject 
that,  in  his  eyes,  was  endowed  with  a  species  of 
character  that  might  be  called  sacred.  Scipio  was 
habitually  silent.  After  losing  many  minutes  in  this 
manner,  Wilder  suddenly  regained  his  recollection, 
and  abruptly  observed, — 

"  It  is  a  tall  ship,  and  one  that  should  make  a  long 
chase !" 

"  That's  as  may  be,"  returned  the  ready  Fid. 
"  Should  that  fellow  get  a  free  wind,  and  his  canvas 
all  abroad,  it  might  worry  a  King's  cruiser  to  get 
nigh  enough  to  throw  the  iron  on  his  decks ;  but 
jamm'd  up  close  hauled,  why,  I'd  engage  to  lay  on 
his  weather  quarter,  with  the  saucy  He — " 

"Boys,"  interrupted  Wilder,  "it  is  now  proper 
that  you  should  know  something  of  my  future  move 
ments.  We  have  been  shipmates,  I  might  almost 
say  messmates,  for  more  than  twenty  years.  I  was 


THE   RED   ROVER.  75 

no  better  than  an  infant,  Fid,  when  you  brought  me 
to  the  commander  of  your  ship,  and  not  only  was 
instrumental  in  saving  my  life,  but  in  putting  me  into 
a  situation  to  make  an  officer." 

"  Ay,  ay,  you  were  no  great  matter,  master  Harry 
as  to  bulk  ;  and  a  short  hammock  served  your  turn 
as  well  as  the  captain's  birth." 

"  I  owe  you  a  heavy  debt,  Fid,  for  that  one  gen 
erous  act,  and  something,  I  may  add,  for  your  steady 
adherence  to  me  since." 

"  Why,  yes,  I've  been  pretty  steady  in  my  con- 
duct,  master  Harry,  in  this  here  business,  more  par 
ticularly,  seeing  that  I  have  never  let  go  my  grap- 
plings,  though  you've  so  often  sworn  to  turn  me 
adrift.  As  for  Guinea,  here,  the  chap  makes  fair 
weather  with  you,  blow  high  or  blow  low,  whereas 
it  is  no  hard  matter  to  get  up  a  squall  between  us, 
as  might  be  seen  in  that  small  affair  about  the 
boat  ;"— 

"  Say  no  more  of  it,"  interrupted  Wilder,  whose 
feelings  appeared  sensibly  touched,  as  his  recollec 
tions  ran  over  long-past  and  bitterly-remembered 
scenes  :  "  You  know  that  little  else  than  death  can 
part  us,  unless  indeed  you  choose  to  quit  me  now. 
It  is  right  that  you  should  know  that  I  am  engaged 
in  a  desperate  pursuit,  and  one  that  may  easily  end 
in  ruin  to  myself  and  all  who  accompany  me.  I  feel 
reluctant  to  separate  from  you,  my  friends,  for  it  may 
be  a  final  parting,  but,  at  the  same  time,  you  should 
know  all  the  danger." 

"  Is  there  much  more  travelling  by  land?"  bluntly 
demanded  Fid. 

"  No  ;  the  duty,  such  as  it  is,  will  be  done  entirely 
on  the  water." 

"  Then  bring  forth  your  ship's  books,  and  find  room 
for  such  a  mark  as  a  pair  of  crossed  anchors,  which 
stand  for  all  the  same  as  so  many  letters  reading 
Richard  Fid.' " 


76  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  But  perhaps,  when  you  know" 

-  "  I  want  to  know  nothing  about  it,  master  Harry 
Haven't  I  sailed  with  you  often  enough  under  sealed 
orders,  to  trust  my  old  body  once  more  in  your  com 
pany,  without  forgetting  my  duty  ?  What  say  you, 
Guinea  ?  will  you  ship  ?  or  shall  we  land  you  at  once, 
on  yonder  bit  of  a  low  point,  and  leave  you  to  scrape 
acquaintance  with  the  clams  ?" 

"  'Em  berry  well  off,  here,"  muttered  the  perfect 
ly  contented  negro. 

"  Ay,  ay,  Guinea  is  like  the  launch  of  one  of  the 
coasters,  always  towing  in  your  wake,  master  Harry  ; 
whereas  I  am  often  luffing  athwart  your  hawse,  or 
getting  foul,  in  some  fashion  or  other,  on  one  of  your 
quarters.  Howsomever,  we  are  both  shipped,  as 
you  see,  in  this  here  cruise,  with  the  particulars  of 
which  we  are  both  well  satisfied.  So  pass  the  word 
among  us,  what  is  to  be  done  next,  and  no  more 
parley." 

"  Remember  the  cautions  you  have  already  re 
ceived,"  returned  Wilder,  who  saw  that  the  devotion 
of  his  followers  was  too  infinite  to  need  quickening, 
and  who  knew,  from  long  and  perilous  experience, 
how  implicitly  he  might  rely  on  their  fidelity,  not 
withstanding  certain  failings,  that  were  perhaps  pe 
culiar  to  their  condition ;  "  remember  what  I  have 
already  given  in  charge ;  and  now  pull  directly  for  yon 
ship  in  the  outer  harbour." 

Fid  and  the  black  promptly  complied ;  and  the 
boat  was  soon  skimming  the  water  between  the  lit 
tle  island  and  what  might,  by  comparison,  be  called 
the  main.  As  they  approached  the  vessel,  the  strokes 
of  the  oars  were  moderated,  and  finally  abandoned 
altogether,  Wilder  preferring  to  let  the  skiff  drop 
down  with  the  tide  upon  the  object  he  wished  well 
to  examine  before  venturing  to  board. 

"  Has  not  that  ship  her  nettings  triced  to  the  rig 
ging  ?"  he  demanded,  in  a  ypice  that  was  lowered  t 


THE    RED    ROVER.  77 

the  tones  necessary  to  escape  observation,  and  which 
betrayed,  at  the  same  time,  the  interest  he  took  in 
the  reply. 

"  According  to  my  sight,  she  has,"  returned  Fid ; 
"  your  slavers  are  a  little  pricked  by  conscience,  and 
are  never  over-bold,  unless  when  they  are  chasing  a 
young  nigger  on  the  coast  of  Congo.  Now,  there  is 
about  as  much  danger  of  a  Frenchman's  looking  in 
here  to-night,  with  this  land  breeze  and  clear  sky,  as 
there  is  of  my  being  made  Lord  High  Admiral  of 
England ;  a  thing  not  likely  to  come  to  pass  soon, 
seeing  that  the  King  don't  know  a  great  deal  of  my 
merit." 

"  They  are,  to  a  certainty,  ready  to  give  a  warm 
reception  to  any  boarders  !"  continued  Wilder,  who 
rarely  paid  much  attention  to  the  amplifications  with 
which  Fid  so  often  saw  fit  to  embellish  the  discourse. 
"  It  would  be  no  easy  matter  to  carry  a  ship  thus 
prepared,  if  her  people  were  true  to  themselves." 

"  I  warrant  ye  there  is  a  full  quarter-watch  at  least 
sleeping  among  her  guns,  at  this  very  moment,  with 
a  bright  look-out  from  her  cat-heads  and  tafFrail.  I 
was  once  on  the  weather  fore-yard-arm  of  the  Hebe, 
when  I  made,  hereaway  to  the  south-west,  a  sail 
coming  large  upon  us," — 

"  Hist !  they  are  stirring  on  her  decks  !" 

"  To  be  sure  they  are.  The  cook  is  splitting  a 
log ;  the  captain  has  sung  out  for  his  night-cap." 

The  voice  of  Fid  was  lost  in  a  summons  from  the 
ship,  that  sounded  like  the  roaring  of  some  sea  mon 
ster,  which  had  unexpectedly  raised  its  head  above 
the  water.  The  practised  ears  of  our  adventurers 
instantly  comprehended  it  to  be,  what  it  truly  was, 
the  manner  in  which  it  was  not  unusual  to  hail  a 
boat.  Without  taking  time  to  ascertain  that  the 
plashing  of  oars  was  to  be  heard  in  the  distance. 
Wilder  raised  his  form  in  the  skiff,  and  answered. 

"How  now?"  exclaimed  the  same  strange  voice; 
G2 


78  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  there  is  no  one  victualled  aboard  here  that  speaks 
thus.     Whereaway  are  you,  he  that  answers  ?" 

"  A  little  on  your  larboard  bow ;  here,  in  the 
shadow  of  the  ship." 

"  And  what  are  ye  about,  within  the  sweep  of  my 
hawse  ?" 

"  Cutting  the  waves  with  my  taffrail,"  returned 
Wilder,  after  a  moment's  hesitation. 

"  What  fool  has  broke  adrift  here !"  muttered  his 
interrogator.  "  Pass  a  blunderbuss  forward,  and 
let  us  see  if  a  civil  answer  can't  be  drawn  from  the 
fellow." 

"  Hold  !"  said  a  calm  but  authoritative  voice  from 
the  most  distant  part  of  the  ship ;  "  it  is  as  it  should 
be  ;  let  them  approach." 

The  man  in  the  bows  of  the  vessel  bade  them 
come  along  side,  and  then  the  conversation  ceased. 
Wilder  had  now  an  opportunity  to  discover,  that,  as 
the  hail  had  been  intended  for  another  boat,  which 
was  still  at  a  distance,  he  had  answered  prematurely. 
But,  perceiving  that  it  was  too  late  to  retreat  with 
safety,  or  perhaps  only  acting  in  conformity  to  his 
original  determination,  he  directed  his  companions 
to  obey. 

" 4  Cutting  the  waves  with  the  taffrail,1  is  not  the 
civillest  answer  a  man  can  give  to  a  hail,"  muttered 
Fid,  as  he  dropped  the  blade  of  his  oar  into  the 
water ;  "  nor  is  it  a  matter  to  be  logged  in  a  man's 
memory,  that  they  have  taken  offence  at  the  same 
Howsomever,  master  Harry,  if  they  are  so  minded 
as  to  make  a  quarrel  about  the  thing,  give  them  as 
good  as  they  send,  and  count  on  manly  backers." 

No  reply  was  made  to  this  encouraging  assurance 
for,  by  this  time,  the  skiff  was  within  a  few  feet  of  the 
ship.  Wilder  ascended  the  side  of  the  vessel  amid 
a  deep,  and,  as  he  felt  it  to  be,  an  ominous  silence 
The  night  was  dark,  though  enough  light  fell  from 
the  stars,  that  were  here  and  there  visible,  to  render 


THE    RED    ROVER.  79 

objects  sufficiently  distinct  to  the  practised  eyes  of  a 
seaman.  When  our  young  adventurer  touched  the 
deck,  he  cast  a  hurried  and  scrutinizing  look  about 
him,  as  if  doubts  and  impressions,  which  had  long 
been  harboured,  were  all  to  be  resolved  by  that  first 
view. 

An  ignorant  landsman  would  have  been  struck 
with  the  order  and  symmetry  with  which  the  tall 
spars  rose  towards  the  heavens,  from  the  black  mass 
of  the  hull,  and  with  the  rigging  that  hung  in  the 
air,  one  dark  line  crossing  another,  until  all  design 
seemed  confounded  in  the  confusion  and  intricacy  of 
the  studied  maze.  But  to  Wilder  these  familiar  ob 
jects  furnished  no  immediate  attraction.  His  first 
rapid  glance  had,  like  that  of  all  seamen,  it  is  true, 
been  thrown  upward,  but  it  was  instantly  succeeded 
by  the  brief,  though  keen,  examination  to  which  we 
have  just  alluded.  With  the  exception  of  one  who, 
though  his  form  was  muffled  in  a  large  sea-cloak, 
seemed  to  be  an  officer,  not  a  living  creature  was  to 
be  seen  on  the  decks.  On  either  side  there  was  a 
dark,  frowning  battery,  arranged  in  the  beautiful  and 
imposing  order  of  marine  architecture  ;  but  nowhere 
could  he  find  a  trace  of  the  crowd  of  human  beings 
which  usually  throng  the  deck  of  an  armed  ship,  or 
that  was  necessary  to  render  the  engines  effective. 
It  might  be  that  her  people  were  in  their  hammocks, 
as  usual  at  that  hour,  but  still  it  was  customary  to 
leave  a  sufficient  number  on  the  watch,  to  look  to 
the  safety  of  the  vessel.  Finding  himself  so  unex 
pectedly  confronted  with  a  single  individual,  our 
adventurer  began  to  be  sensible  of  the  awkwardness 
of  his  situation,  and  of  the  necessity  of  some  expla- 
aation. 

"  You  are  no  doubt  surprised,  sir,"  he  said,  "  at 
the  lateness  of  the  hour  that  I  have  chosen  for  my 
visit." 


tf  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  You  were  certainly  expected  earlier,"  was  the 
laconic  answer. 

"  Expected  I" 

"  Ay,  expected.  Have  I  not  seen  you,  and  your 
two  companions  who  are  in  the  boat,  reconnoitring 
us  half  the  day,  from  the  wharfs  of  the  town,  and 
even  from  the  old  tower  on  the  hill  ?  What  did  all 
this  curiosity  foretel,  but  an  intention  to  come  on 
board  ?" 

"  This  is  odd,  I  will  acknowledge !"  exclaimed 
Wilder,  in  some  secret  alarm.  "  And,  then,  you  had 
notice  of  my  intentions  ?" 

"  Hark  ye,  friend,"  interrupted  the  other,  indulg 
ing  in  a  short,  low  laugh  ;  u  from  your  outfit  and  ap 
pearance,  I  think  I  am  right  in  calling  you  a  seaman : 
Do  you  imagine  that  glasses  were  forgotten  in  the 
inventory  of  this  ship  ?  or,  do  you  fancy  that  we  don't 
know  how  to  use  them  ?" 

"  You  must  have  strong  reasons  for  looking  so 
deeply  into  the  movements  of  strangers  on  the  land." 

"  Hum  !  Perhaps  we  expect  our  cargo  from  the 
country.  But  I  suppose  you  have  not  come  so  far 
in  the  dark  to  look  at  our  manifest.  You  would  see 
the  Captain  ?" 

"  Do  I  not  see  him  ?" 

"  Where  ?"  demanded  the  other,  with  a  start  that 
manifested  he  stood  in  a  salutary  awe  of  his  supe 
rior. 

"  In  yourself." 

"Ill  have  not  got  so  high  in  the  books,  though 
my  time  may  come  yet,  some  fair  day.  Hark  ye, 
friend  ;  you  passed  under  the  stern  of  yonder  ship, 
which  has  been  hauling  into  the  stream,  in  coming 
out  to  us  ?" 

"  Certainly ;  she  lies,  as  you  see,  directly  in  my 
course." 

"  A  wholesome-looking  craft  that !  and  one  well 


THE   RED   ROVER.  81 

found,  1  warrant  you.     She  is  quite  ready  to  be  off, 
they  tell  me." 

"  It  would  so  seem :  her  sails  are  bent,  and  she 
floats  like  a  ship  that  is  full." 

"  Of  what?"  abruptly  demanded  the  other. 

"  Of  articles  mentioned  in  her  manifest,  no  doubt. 
But  you  seem  light  yourself:  if  you  are  to  load  at 
this  port,  it  will  be  some  days  before  you  put  to  sea." 

"  Hum  !  I  don't  think  we  shall  be  long  after  our 
neighbour,"  the  other  remarked,  a  little  drily. 
Then,  as  if  he  might  have  said  too  much,  he  added 
hastily,  "  We  slavers  carry  little  else,  you  know, 
than  our  shackles  and  a  few  extra  tierces  of  rice ; 
the  rest  of  our  ballast  is  made  up  of  these  guns,  and 
the  stuff  to  put  into  them." 

"  And  is  it  usual  for  ships  in  the  trade  to  carry  so 
heavy  an  armament?" 

"  Perhaps  it  is,  perhaps  not.  To  own  the  truth, 
there  is  not  much  law  on  the  coast,  and  the  strong 
arm  often  does  as  much  as  the  right.  Our  owners, 
therefore,  I  believe,  think  it  quite  as  well  there 
should  be  no  lack  of  guns  and  ammunition  on  board." 

"  They  should  also  give  you  people  to  work 
them." 

"  They  have  forgotten  that  part  of  their  wisdom, 
certainly." 

His  words  were  nearly  drowned  by  the  same  gruff 
voice  that  had  brought-to  the  skiff  of  Wilder,  which 
gent  another  hoarse  summons  across  the  water,  roll 
ing  out  sounds  that  were  intended  to  say, — 

"  Boat,  ahoy !" 

The  answer  was  quick,  short,  and  nautical ;  but 
it  was  rendered  in  a  low  and  cautious  tone.  The 
individual,  with  whom  Wilder  had  been  holding  such 
equivocating  parlance,  seemed  embarrassed  by  the 
sudden  interruption,  and  a  little  at  a  loss  to  know 
how  to  conduct  himself.  He  had  already  made  a 
motion  towards  leading  his  visiter  to  the  cabin,  when 


82  THE    RED    ROVER. 

the  sounds  of  oars  were  heard  clattering  in  a  boat 
along  side  of  the  ship,  announcing  that  he  was  too 
late.  Bidding  the  other  remain  where  he  was,  he 
sprang  to  the  gangway,  in  order  to  receive  those 
who  had  just  arrived 

By  this  sudden  desertion,  Wilder  found  himself  in 
entire  possession  of  that  part  of  the  vessel  where  he 
stood.  It  gave  him  a  better  opportunity  to  renew 
his  examination,  and  to  cast  a  scrutinizing  eye  also 
over  the  new  comers. 

Some  five  or  six  athletic-looking  seamen  ascended 
from  the  boat,  in  profound  silence.  A  short  and 
whispered  conference  took  place  between  them  and 
their  officer,  who  appeared  both  to  receive  a  report, 
and  to  communicate  an  order.  When  these  prelim 
inary  matters  were  ended,  a  line  was  lowered,  from 
a  whip  on  the  main-yard,  the  end  evidently  dropping 
into  the  newly-arrived  boat.  In,  a  moment,  the  bur 
then  it  was  intended  to  transfer  to  the  ship  was  seen 
swinging  in  the  air,  midway  between  the  water  and 
the  spar.  It  then  slowly  descended,  inclining  in 
board,  until  it  was  safely,  and  somewhat  carefully, 
landed  on  the  decks  of  the  vessel. 

During  the  whole  of  this  process,  which  in  itself 
had  nothing  extraordinary  or  out  of  the  daily  prac 
tice  of  large  vessels  in  port,  Wilder  had  strained  his 
eyes,  until  they  appeared  nearly  ready  to  start  from 
their  sockets.  The  black  mass,  which  had  been 
lifted  from  the  boat,  seemed,  while  it  lay  against  the 
back-ground  of  sky,  to  possess  the  proportions  of  the 
human  form.  The  seamen  gathered  about  this  ob 
ject.  After  much  bustle,  and  a  good  deal  of  low 
conversation,  the  burthen  or  body,  whichever  it 
might  be  called,  was  raised  by  the  men,  and  the 
whole  disappeared  together,  behind  the  masts,  boats, 
and  guns  which  crowded  the  forward  part  of  the 
vessel. 

The  whole  event  was  of  a  character  to  attract 


THE    RED    ROVER.  83 

the  attention  of  Wilder.  His  eye  was  not,  however, 
so  intently  riveted  on  the  groupe  in  the  gangway,  as 
to  prevent  his  detecting  a  dozen  black  objects,  that 
were  suddenly  thrust  forward,  from  behind  the  spars 
and  other  dark  masses  of  the  vessel.  They  might 
be  blocks  swinging  in  the  air,  but  they  bore  also  a 
wonderful  resemblance  to  human  heads.  The  simul 
taneous  manner  in  which  they  both  appeared  and 
disappeared,  served  to  confirm  this  impression  ;  nor, 
to  confess  the  truth,  had  our  adventurer  any  doubt 
that  curiosity  had  drawn  so  many  inquiring  counte 
nances  from  their  respective  places  of  concealment. 
He  had  not  much  leisure,  however,  to  reflect  on  all 
these  little  accompaniments  of  his  situation,  before 
he  was  rejoined  by  his  former  companion,  who,  to 
all  appearance,  was  again  left,  with  himself,  to  the 
entire  possession  of  the  deck. 

44  You  know  the  trouble  of  getting  off  the  people 
from  the  shore,"  the  officer  observed,  "  when  a  ship 
is  ready  to  sail." 

44  You  seem  to  have  a  summary  method  of  hoist 
ing  them  in,"  returned  Wilder. 

44  Ah !  you  speak  of  the  fellow  on  the  whip  ?  Your 
eyes  are  good,  friend,  to  tell  a  jack-knife  from  a 
marling-spike,  at  this  distance.  But  the  lad  was 
mutinous ;  that  is,  not  absolutely  mutinous — but, 
drunk.  As  mutinous  as  a  man  can  well  be,  who  can 
neither  speak,  sit,  nor  stand." 

Then,  as  if  as  well  content  with  his  humour  as 
with  this  simple  explanation,  the  other  laughed  and 
chuckled,  in  a  manner  that  showed  he  was  in  per 
fect  good  humour  with  himself. 

44  But  all  this  time  you  are  left  on  deck,"  he  quick 
ly  added, 44  and  the  Captain  is  waiting  your  appear 
ance  in  the  cabin :  Follow ;  I  will  be  your  pilot." 

44  Hold,"  said  Wilder;  44  will  it  not  be  as  well  to 
announce  my  visit  ?" 

44  He  knows  it  already :  Little  takes  place  aboard. 


84  THE    RED    ROVER. 

here,  that  does  not  reach  his  ears  before  it  gets  into 
the  log-book." 

Wilder  made  no  further  objection,  but  indicated 
his  readiness  to  proceed.  The  other  led  the  way  to 
the  bulkhead  which  separated  the  principal  cabin 
from  the  quarter-deck  of  the  ship ;  and,  pointing  to 
a  door,  he  rather  whispered  than  said  aloud, — 

u  Tap  twice ;  if  he  answer,  go  in." 

Wilder  did  as  he  was  directed.  His  first  summons 
was  either  unheard  or  disregarded.  On  repeating 
it,  he  was  bid  to  enter.  The  young  seaman  opened 
the  door,  with  a  crowd  of  sensations,  that  will  find 
their  solution  in  the  succeeding  parts  of  our  narra 
tive,  and  instantly  stood,  under  the  light  of  a  power 
ful  lamp,  in  the  presence  of  the  stranger  in  green. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

"  The  good  old  plan, 

That  they  should  get,  who  have  the  power, 
And  they  should  keep,  who  can."— Wordsworth. 

THE  apartment,  in  which  our  adventurer  now 
found  himself,  afforded  no  bad  illustration  of  the 
character  of  its  occupant.  In  its  form,  and  propor 
tions,  it  was  a  cabin  of  the  usual  size  and  arrange 
ments  ;  but,  in  its  furniture  and  equipments,  it  ex 
hibited  a  singular  admixture  of  luxury  and  martial 
preparation.  The  lamp,  which  swung  from  the 
upper  deck,  was  of  solid  silver ;  and,  though  adapt 
ed  to  its  present  situation  by  mechanical  ingenuity, 
there  was  that,  in  its  shape  and  ornaments,  which 
betrayed  it  had  once  been  used  before  some  shrine 
of  a  far  more  sacred  character.  Massive  candle 
sticks,  of  the  same  precious  metal,  and  which  par 
took  of  the  same  ecclesiastical  formation,  were  on  a 
venerable  table,  whose  mahogany  was  glittering  with 


THE    RED    ROVER;  8A 

the  polish  of  half  a  century,  and  whose  gilded  claws, 
and  carved  supporters,  bespoke  an  original  destina 
tion  very  different  from  the  ordinary  service  of  a 
ship.  A  couch,  covered  with  cut  velvet,  stood 
along  the  transom ;  while  a  divan,  of  blue  silk,  lay 
against  the  bulkhead  opposite,  manifesting,  by  its 
fashion,  its  materials,  and  its  piles  of  pillows,  that 
even  Asia  had  been  made  to  contribute  to  the  ease 
of  its  luxurious  owner.  In  addition  to  these  prominent 
articles,  there  were  cut  glass,  mirrors,  plate,  and  even 
hangings  ;  each  of  which,  by  something  peculiar  in 
its  fashion  or  materials,  bespoke  an  origin  different 
from  that  of  its  neighbour.  In  short,  splendour  and 
elegance  seemed  to  have  been  much  more  consulted 
than  propriety,  or  conformity  in  taste,  in  the  selec 
tion  of  most  of  those  articles,  which  had  been,  oddly 
enough,  made  to  contribute  to  the  caprice  or  to  the 
comfort  of  their  singular  possessor. 

In  the  midst  of  this  medley  of  wealth  and  luxury, 
appeared  the  frowning  appendages  of  war.  The 
cabin  included  four  of  those  dark  cannon  whose 
weight  and  number  had  been  first  to  catch  the 
attention  of  Wilder.  Notwithstanding  they  were 
placed  in  such  close  proximity  to  the  articles  of  ease 
just  enumerated,  it  only  needed  a  seaman's  eye  to 
perceive  that  they  stood  ready  for  instant  service, 
and  that  five  minutes  of  preparation  would  strip  the 
place  of  all  its  tinsel,  and  leave  it  a  warm  and  well 
protected  battery.  Pistols,  sabres,  half-pikes,  board 
ing-axes,  and  all  the  minor  implements  of  marine 
warfare,  were  arranged  about  the  cabin  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  aid  in  giving  it  an  appearance  of  wild 
embellishment,  while,  at  the  same  time,  each  was 
convenient  to  the  hand. 

Around  the  mast  was  placed  a  stand  of  muskets  , 

and  strong  wooden  bars,  that  were  evidently  made 

to  fit  in  brackets  on  either  side  of  the  door,  suf- 

ficientlv  showed  that  the  bulkhead  might  easily  be 

H 


86  THE    RED    ROVE*. 

converted  into  a  barrier.  The  entire  arrangement 
proclaimed  that  the  cabin  was  considered  the  cita 
del  of  the  ship.  In  support  of  this  latter  opinion 
appeared  a  hatch,  which  evidently  communicated 
with  the  apartments  of  the  inferior  officers,  and 
which  also  opened  a  direct  passage  into  the  magazine. 
These  dispositions,  a  little  different  from  what  he  had 
been  accustomed  to  see,  instantly  struck  the  eye  of 
Wilder,  though  leisure  was  not  then  given  to  reflect 
on  their  uses  and  objects. 

There  was  a  latent  expression  of  satisfaction, 
something  modified,  perhaps,  by  irony,  on  the  coun 
tenance  of  the  stranger  in  green,  (for  he  was  still 
clad  as  when  first  introduced  to  the  reader,)  as  he 
arose,  on  the  entrance  of  his  visiter.  The  two  stood 
several  moments  without  speaking,  when  the  pre 
tended  barrister  saw  fit  to  break  the  awkward 
silence. 

"  To  what  happy  circumstance  is  this  ship  indebt 
ed  for  the  honour  of  such  a  visit?"  he  demanded. 

"  I  believe  I  may  answer,  To  the  invitation  of  her 
Captain,"  Wilder  answered,  with  a  steadiness  and 
calmness  equal  to  that  displayed  by  the  other. 

"  Did  he  show  you  his  commission,  in  assuming 
that  office  ?  They  say,  at  sea,  I  believe,  that  no 
cruiser  should  be  found  without  a  commission." 

"  And  what  say  they  at  the  universities  on  this 
material  point  ?" 

"  I  see  I  may  as  well  lay  aside  my  gown,  and  own 
the  marling-spike !"  returned  the  other,  smiling. 
"There  is  something  about  the  trade — profession, 
though,  I  believe,  is  your  favourite  word — there  is 
something  about  the  profession,  which  betrays  us  to 
each  other.  Yes,  Mr  Wilder,"  he  added  with  dig 
nity,  motioning  to  his  guest  to  imitate  his  example, 
and  take  a  seat,  "  I  am,  like  yourself,  a  seaman  bred , 
and  happy  am  I  to  add,  the  Commander  of  this  gal 
lant  vessel." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  87 

"  Then,  must  you  admit  that  I  have  not  intruded 
without  a  sufficient  warrant." 

"  I  confess  the  same.  My  ship  has  filled  your  eye 
agreeably ;  nor  shall  I  he  slow  to  acknowledge,  that 
I  have  seen  enough  about  your  air,  and  person,  to 
make  me  wish  to  be  an  older  acquaintance.  You 
want  service  ?" 

"  One  should  be  ashamed  of  idleness  in  these  stir 
ring  times." 

"  It  is  well.  This  is  an  oddly-constructed  world 
in  which  we  live,  Mr  Wilder !  Some  think  themselves 
in  danger,  with  a  foundation  beneath  them  no  less 
solid  than  terra  firma^  while  others  are  content  to 
trust  their  fortunes  on  the  sea.  So,  again,  some  there 
are  who  believe  praying  is  the  business  of  man  ;  and 
then  come  others  who  are  sparing  of  their  breath, 
and  take  those  favours  for  themselves  which  they 
have  not  always  the  leisure  or  the  inclination  to  ask 
for.  No  doubt  you  thought  it  prudent  to  inquire 
into  the  nature  of  our  trade,  before  you  came  hither 
in  quest  of  employment  ?" 

"  You  are  said  to  be  a  slaver,  among  the  towns 
men  of  Newport." 

"  They  are  never  wrong,  your  village  gossips  !  If 
witchcraft  ever  truly  existed  on  earth,  the  first  of  the 
cunning  tribe  has  been  a  village  innkeeper;  the 
second,  its  doctor ;  and  the  third,  its  priest.  The 
right  to  the  fourth  honour  may  be  disputed  between 
the  barber  and  the  tailor. — Roderick  !" 

The  Captain  accompanied  the  word  by  which  he 
go  unceremoniously  interrupted  himself,  by  striking 
a  light  blow  on  a  Chinese  gong,  which,  among  other 
curiosities,  was  suspended  from  one  of  the  beams  of 
the  upper  deck,  within  reach  of  his  hand. 

"  I  say,  Roderick,  do  you  sleep  ?" 

A  light  and  active  boy  darted  out  of  one  of  the 
two  little  state-rooms  which  were  constructed  on 


88  THE    RED    ROVER. 

the  quarters  of  the  ship,  and  answered  to  the  sum 
mons  by  announcing  his  presence. 

"  Has  the  boat  returned  ?" 

The  reply  was  in  the  affirmative. 

"  And  has  she  been  successful?" 

"  The  General  is  in  his  room,  sir,  and  can  give  you 
an  answer  better  than  I." 

"  Then,  let  the  General  appear,  and  report  the 
result  of  his  campaign." 

Wilder  was  by  far  too  deeply  interested,  to  break 
the  sudden  reverie  into  which  his  companion  had 
now  evidently  fallen,  even  by  breathing  as  loud  as 
usual.  The  boy  descended  through  the  hatch  like  a 
serpent  gliding  into  his  hole,  or,  rather,  a  fox  darting 
into  his  burrow,  and  then  a  profound  stillness  reigned 
in  the  cabin.  The  Commander  of  the  ship  leaned 
his  head  on  his  hand,  appearing  utterly  unconscious 
of  the  presence  of  any  stranger.  The  silence  might 
have  been  of  much  longer  duration,  had  it  not  been 
interrupted  by  the  appearance  of  a  third  person.  A 
straight,  rigid  form  slowly  elevated  itself  through  the 
little  hatchway,  very  much  in  the  manner  that  theat 
rical  spectres  are  seen  to  make  their  appearance  on 
the  stage,  until  about  half  of  the  person  was  visible, 
when  it  ceased  to  rise,  and  turned  its  disciplined 
countenance  on  the  Captain. 

"  I  wait  for  orders,"  said  a  mumbling  voice, 
which  issued  from  lips  that  were  hardly  perceived 
to  move. 

Wilder  started  as  this  unexpected  individual  ap 
peared  ;  nor  was  the  stranger  wanting  in  an  aspect 
sufficiently  remarkable  to  produce  surprise  in  any 
spectator.  The  face  was  that  of  a  man  of  fifty,  with 
the  lineaments  rather  indurated  than  faded  by  time. 
Its  colour  was  an  uniform  red,  with  the  exception  of 
one  of  those  expressive  little  fibrous  tell-tales  on  each 
cheek,  which  bear  so  striking  a  resemblance  to  the 


THE    RED    ROVER.  89 

mazes  of  the  vine,  and  which  would  seem  to  be  the 
true  origin  of  the  proverb  which  says  that  "  good 
wine  needs  no  bush."  The  head  was  bald  on  its 
crown ;  but  around  either  ear  was  a  mass  of  grizzled 
'hair,  pomatumed  and  combed  into  formal  military 
bristles.  The  neck  was  long,  and  supported  by  a 
black  stock;  the  shoulders,  arms,  and  body  were 
those  of  a  man  of  tall  stature ;  and  the  whole  were 
enveloped  in  an  over-coat,  which,  though  it  had 
something  methodical  in  its  fashion,  was  evidently 
intended  as  a  sort  of  domino.  The  Captain  raised 
his  head  as  the  other  spoke,  exclaiming, — 

"  Ah !  General,  are  you  at  your  post  ?  Did  you 
find  the  land?" 

"  Yes." 

"  And  the  point? — and  the  man  ?" 

"  Both." 

"  And  what  did  you  ?" 

"  Obey  orders." 

"  That  was  right. — You  are  a  jewel  for  an  execu 
tive  officer,  General ;  and,  as  such,  I  wear  you  neai 
my  heart.  Did  the  fellow  complain  ?" 

"  He  was  gagged." 

"  A  summary  method  of  closing  remonstrance.  It 
is  as  it  should  be,  General ;  as  usual,  you  have  mer 
ited  my  approbation." 

"  Then  reward  me  for  it." 

"In  what  manner?  You  are  already  as  high  in 
rank  as  I  can  elevate  you.  The  next  step  must  be 
knighthood." 

"Pshaw!  my  men  are  no  better  than  militia, 
They  want  coats." 

"  They  shall  have  them.  His  Majesty's  guards 
shall  not  be  half  so  well  equipt.  General,  I  wish 
you  a  good  night." 

The  figure  descended,  in  the  same  rigid,  spectral 
manner  as  it  had  risen  on  the  sight,  leaving  Wilder 
again  alone  with  the  Captain  of  the  ship.     The  lat- 
H  2 


90  THE    RED    ROVER. 

ter  seemed  suddenly  struck  with  the  fact  that  thi§ 
odd  interview  had  occurred  in  the  presence  of  one 
who  was  nearly  a  stranger,  and  that,  in  his  eyes  at 
least,  it  might  appear  to  require  some  explanation. 

"  My  friend,"  he  said,  with  an  air  something  ex 
planatory,  while  it  was  at  the  same  time  not  a  little 
haughty, "  commands  what,  in  a  more  regular  cruiser, 
would  be  called  the  '  marine  guard.'  He  has  gradu 
ally  risen,  by  service,  from  the  rank  of  a  subaltern, 
to  the  high  station  which  he  now  fills.  You  per 
ceive  he  smells  of  the  camp  ?" 

»*  More  than  of  the  ship.  Is  it  usual  for  slavers  to 
be  so  well  provided  with  military  equipments  ?  I 
find  you  armed  at  all  points." 

"  You  would  know  more  of  us,  before  we  pro 
ceed  to  drive  our  bargain  ?"  the  Captain  answered, 
with  a  smile.  He  then  opened  a  little  casket  that 
stood  on  the  table,  and  drew  from  it  a  parchment, 
which  he  coolly  handed  to  Wilder,  saying,  as  he  did 
so,  with  one  of  the  quick,  searching  glances  of  his 
restless  eye,  "  You  will  see,  by  that,  we  have  l  letters 
of  marque,'  and  are  duly  authorized  to  fight  the  bat 
tles  of  the  King,  while  we  are  conducting  our  own 
more  peaceable  affairs." 

"  This  is  the  commission  of  a  brig ! " 

"  True,  true.  I  have  given  you  the  wrong  paper. 
I  believe  you  will  find  this  more  accurate." 

"  This  is  truly  a  commission  for  the  *  good  ship 
Seven  Sisters ;'  but  you  surely  carry  more  than  ten 
guns ,  and,  then,  these  in  your  cabin  throw  nine  in 
stead  of  four  pound  shot ! " 

"  Ah  !  you  are  as  precise  as  though  you  had  been 
the  barrister,  and  I  the  blundering  seaman.  I  dare 
say  you  have  heard  of  such  a  thing  as  stretching  a 
commission,"  continued  the  Captain  drily,  as  he 
carelessly  threw  the  parchment  back  among  a  pile 
of  similar  documents.  Then,  rising  from  his  seat, 
he  began  to  pace  the  cabin  with  quick  steps,  as  he 


THE    RED    ROVER.  91 

continued,  "  1  need  not  tell  you,  Mr  Wilder,  that 
ours  is  a  hazardous  pursuit.  Some  call  it  lawless. 
But,  as  I  am  little  addicted  to  theological  disputes, 
we  will  wave  the  question.  You  have  not  come 
here  without  knowing  your  errand." 

"  I  am  in  search  of  a  birth." 

"  Doubtless  you  have  reflected  well  on  the  matter 
aid  know  your  own  mind  as  to  the  trade  in  which 
v  ou  would  sail.  In  order  that  no  time  may  be  wast 
ed,  and  that  our  dealings  may  be  frank,  as  becomes 
two  honest  seamen,  I  will  confess  to  you,  at  once, 
that  I  have  need  of  you.  A  brave  and  skilful  man, 
one  older,  though,  I  dare  say,  not  better  than  your 
self,  occupied  that  larboard  state-room,  within  the 
month;  but,  poor  fellow,  he  is  food  for  fishes  ere 
this." 

"  He  was  drowned  ?" 

"  Not  he !  He  died  in  open  battle  with  a  King's 
ship!" 

"  A  King's  ship  !  Have  you  then  stretched  your 
commission  so  far  as  to  find  a  warranty  for  giving 
battle  to  his  Majesty's  cruisers  ?" 

"  Is  there  no  King  but  George  the  Second  !  Per 
haps  she  bore  the  white  flag,  perhaps  a  Dane.  But 
he  was  truly  a  gallant  fellow  ;  and  there  lies  his 
birth,  as  empty  as  the  day  he  was  carried  from  it,  to 
be  cast  into  the  sea.  He  was  a  man  fit  to  succeed 
to  the  command,  should  an  evil  star  shine  on  my 
fate.  I  think  I  could  die  easier,  were  I  to  know 
this  noble  vessel  was  to  be  transmitted  to  one  who 
would  make  such  use  of  her  as  should  be." 

"  Doubtless  your  owners  would  provide  a  succes 
sor,  in  the  event  of  such  a  calamity." 

"  My  owners  are  very  reasonable,"  returned  the 
other,  with  a  meaning  smile,  while  he  cast  another 
searching  glance  at  his  guest,  which  compelled  Wil 
der  to  lower  his  own  eyes  to  the  cabin  floor ;  "  they 
seldom  trouble  me  with  importunities,  or  orders ." 


92  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  They  are  indulgent !  I  see  that  flags  were  not 
forgotten  in  your  inventory :  Do  they  also  give  you 
permission  to  wear  any  one  of  all  those  ensigns,  as 
you  may  please  ?" 

As  this  question  was  put,  the  expressive  and  un 
derstanding  looks  of  the  two  seamen  met.  The 
Captain  drew  a  flag  from  the  half-open  locker,  where 
it  had  caught  the  attention  of  his  visiter,  and,  letting 
the  roll  unfold  itself  on  the  deck,  he  answered, — 

"  This  is  the  Lily  of  France,  you  see.     No  bad 
emblem  of  your  stainless  Frenchman.  An  escutcheon 
of  pretence  without  spot,  but,  nevertheless,  a  little 
soiled  by  too  much  use.     Here,  you  have  the  calcu 
lating  Dutchman ;  plain,  substantial,  and  cheap.     It 
is  a  flag  I  little  like.     If  the  ship  be  of  value,  her 
owners  are  not  often  willing  to  dispose  of  her  with 
out  a  price.     This  is  your  swaggering  Hamburgher. 
He  is  rich  in  the  possession  of  one  town,  and  makes 
his  boast  of  it,  in  these  towers.     Of  the  rest  of  his 
mighty  possessions  he  wisely  says  nothing  in  his  alle 
gory.     These  are  the  Crescents  of  Turkey ;  a  moon 
struck  nation,  that  believe  themselves  the  inheritors 
of  heaven.    Let  them  enjoy  their  birthright  in  peace ; 
it  is  seldom  they  are  found  looking  for  its  blessings 
on  the  high  seas — and  these,  the  little  satellites  that 
play  about  the  mighty  moon;  your  Barbarians  of 
Africa.     I   hold  but  little  communion  with  these 
wide-trowsered  gentry,  for  they  seldom  deal  in  gain 
ful  traffic.     And  yet,"  he  added,  glancing  his  eye  at 
the  silken  divan  before  which  Wilder  was  seated, 
"  I  have  met  the  rascals ;  nor  have  we  parted  en 
tirely  without  communication !     Ah !   here   comes 
the  man  I  like ;   your  golden,  gorgeous  Spaniard ! 
This  field  of  yellow  reminds  one  of  the  riches  of  her 
mines  ;  and  this  Crown  !  one  might  fancy  it  of  beat 
en  gold,  and  stretch  forth  a  hand  to  grasp  the  treas 
ure.     What  a  blazonry  is  this  for  a  galleon !     Here 
is  the  humbler  Portuguese ;  and  yet  is  he  not  with- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  93 

out  a  wealthy  look.  1  have  often  fancied  there  were 
true  Brazilian  diamonds  in  this  kingly  bauble.  Yon 
der  crucifix,  which  you  see  hanging  in  pious  prox 
imity  to  my  state-room  door,  is  a  specimen  of  the 
sort  I  mean."  Wilder  turned  his  head,  to  throw  a 
look  on  the  valuable  emblem,  that  was  really  sus 
pended  from  the  bulkhead,  within  a  few  inches  of 
the  spot  the  other  named.  After  satisfying  his  curi 
osity,  he  was  in  the  act  of  giving  his  attention  again 
to  the  flags,  when  he  detected  another  of  those  pen 
etrating,  but  stolen  glances  with  which  his  compan 
ion  so  often  read  the  countenance  of  his  associates. 
It  might  have  been  that  the  Captain  was  endeavour 
ing  to  discover  the  effect  his  profuse  display  of 
wealth  had  produced  on  the  mind  of  his  visiter. 
Let  that  be  as  it  would,  Wilder  smiled ;  for,  at  that 
moment,  the  idea  first  occurred  that  the  ornaments 
of  the  cabin  had  been  thus  studiously  arranged  with 
an  expectation  of  his  arrival,  and  with  the  wish  that 
their  richness  might  strike  his  senses  favourably. 
The  other  caught  the  expression  of  his  eye ;  and 
perhaps  he  mistook  its  meaning,  when  he  suffered 
his  construction  of  what  it  said  to  animate  him  to 
pursue  his  whimsical  analysis  of  the  flags,  with  an 
air  s<ill  more  cheerful  and  vivacious  than  before. 

"  These  double-headed  monsters  are  land  birds, 
and  seldom  risk  a  flight  over  deep  waters.  They 
are  not  for  me.  Your  hardy,  valiant  Dane ;  your 
sturdy  Swede ;  a  nest  of  smaller  fry,"  he  continued, 
passing  his  hand  rapidly  over  a  dozen  little  rolls  as 
they  lay,  each  in  its  own  repository,  "  who  spread 
their  bunting  like  larger  states  ;  and  your  luxurious 
Neapolitan.  Ah  !  here  come  the  Keys  of  Heaven  ! 
This  is  a  flag  to  die  under !  I  lay  yard-arm  and 
yard-arm,  once,  under  that  very  bit  of  bunting,  with 
a  heavy  corsair  from  Algiers" — 

"  What !  Did  you  choose  to  fight  under  the  ban 
nersof  the  Church?" 


94  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  In  mere  devotion.  I  pictured  to  myself  the  sur- 
prise  that  would  overcome  the  barbarian,  when  he 
should  find  that  we  did  not  go  to  prayers.  We  gave 
him  but  a  round  or  two,  before  he  swore  that  Allah 
had  decreed  he  might  surrender.  There  was  a  mo 
ment,  while  I  luflfed-up  on  his  weather-quarter,  J 
believe,  that  the  Mussulman  thought  the  whole  of  the 
holy  Conclave  was  afloat,  and  that  the  downfall  of 
Mahomet  and  his  offspring  was  ordained.  I  provok 
ed  the  conflict,  I  will  confess,  in  showing  him  these 
peaceful  Keys,  which  he  is  dull  enough  to  think 
open  half  the  strong  boxes  of  Christendom." 

u  When  he  had  confessed  his  error,  you  let  him 
go?" 

"  Hum  ! — with  my  blessing.  There  was  some  in 
terchange  of  commodities  between  us,  and  then  we 
parted.  I  left  him  smoking  his  pipe,  in  a  heavy  sea 
with  his  fore-topmast  over  the  side,  his  mizzenmast 
under  his  counter,  and  some  six  or  seven  holes  in  his 
bottom,  that  let  in  the  water  just  as  fast  as  the  pumps 
discharged  it.  You  see  he  was  in  a  fair  way  to  ac 
quire  his  portion  of  the  inheritance.  But  Heaven 
had  ordained  it  all,  and  he  was  satisfied !" 

"  And  what  flags  are  these  which  you  have  pass 
ed  ?  They  seem  rich,  and  many." 

"  These  are  England ;  like  herself,  aristocratic, 
party-coloured,  and  a  good  deal  touched  by  humour. 
Here  is  bunting  to  note  all  ranks  and  conditions,  as 
if  men  were  not  made  of  the  same  flesh,  and  the 
people  of  one  kingdom  might  not  all  sail  honestly 
under  the  same  emblems.  Here  is  my  Lord  High 
Admiral ;  your  St.  George  ;  your  field  of  red,  and  of 
blue,  as  chance  may  give  you  a  leader,  or  the  humour 
of  the  moment  prevail ;  the  stripes  of  mother  India, 
and  the  Royal  Standard  itself!" 

"  The  Royal  Standard  !" 

"  Why  not  ?  a  commander  is  termed  a  4  monarch 
in  his  ship.1  Ay ;  this  is  the  Standard  of  the  King 


THE  RED  ROVER.  95 

and,  what  is  more,  it  has  been  worn  in  presence  of 
an  Admiral !" 

"This  needs  explanation !"  exclaimed  his  listener, 
who  seemed  to  feel  much  that  sort  of  horror  that  a 
churchman  would  discover  at  the  detection  of  sacri 
lege.  To  wear  the  Royal  Standard  in  presence  of 
a  flag !  We  all  know  how  difficult,  and  even  danger 
ous,  it  becomes,  to  sport  a  simple  pennant,  with  the 
eyes  of  a  King's  cruiser  on  us — " 

"  I  love  to  flaunt  the  rascals !"  interrupted  the 
other,  with  a  smothered,  but  bitter  laugh.  "  There 
is  pleasure  in  the  thing ! — In  order  to  punish,  they 
must  possess  the  power ;  an  experiment  often  made, 
but  never  yet  successful.  You  understand  balancing 
accounts  with  the  law,  by  showing  a  broad  sheet  of 
canvas  !  I  need  say  no  more." 

"  And  which  of  all  these  flags  do  you  most 
use  ?"  demanded  Wilder,  after  a  moment  of  intense 
thought. 

"  As  to  mere  sailing,  I  am  as  whimsical  as  a  girl 
in  her  teens  in  the  choice  of  her  ribbons.  I  will 
often  show  you  a  dozen  in  a  day.  Many  is  the  wor 
thy  trader  who  has  gone  into  port  with  his  veritable 
account  of  this  Dutchman,  or  that  Dane,  with  whom 
he  has  spoken  in  the  offing.  As  to  fighting,  though  I 
have  been  known  to  indulge  a  humour,  too,  in  that 
particular,  still  is  there  one  which  I  most  affect." 

"And  that  is  1 " 

The  Captain  kept  his  hand,  for  a  moment,  on  the 
roll  he  had  touched,  and  seemed  to  read  the  very 
soul  of  his  visiter,  so  intent  and  keen  was  his  look 
tlae  while.  Then,  suffering  the  bunting  to  fall,  a 
deep,  blood-red  field,  without  relief  or  ornament  of 
any  sort,  unfolded  itself,  as  he  answered,  with  em- 
phasis,— 

«  This." 

44  That  is  the  colour  of  a  Rover !" 

**  Ay,  it  is  red  !  I  like  it  better  than  your  gloomy 


96  THE    RED    ROVER. 

fields  of  black,  with  death's  heads,  and  other  childish 
scare-crows.  It  threatens  nothing ;  but  merely  says, 
4  Such  is  the  price  at  which  I  am  to  be  bought.'  Mi- 
Wilder,"  he  added,  losing  the  mixture  of  irony  and 
pleasantry  with  which  he  had  supported  the  pre 
vious  dialogue,  in  an  air  of  authority,  "  We  under 
stand  each  other.  It  is  time  that  each  should  sail 
under  his  proper  colours.  I  need  not  tell  you  who 
I  am." 

"  I  believe  it  is  unnecessary,"  said  Wilder.  "  If 
I  can  comprehend  these  palpable  signs,  I  stand  in 
presence  of — of — " 

"  The  Red  Rover,"  continued  the  other,  observing 
that  he  hesitated  to  pronounce  the  appalling  name. 
"  It  is  true ;  and  I  hope  this  interview  is  the  com 
mencement  of  a  durable  and  firm  friendship.  I 
know  not  the  secret  cause,  but,  from  the  moment  of 
our  meeting,  a  strong  and  indefinable  interest  has 
drawn  me  towards  you.  Perhaps  I  felt  the  void 
which  my  situation  has  drawn  about  me ; — be  that 
as  it  may,  I  receive  you  with  a  longing  heart  and 
open  arms." 

Though  it  must  be  very  evident,  from  what  pre 
ceded  this  open  avowal,  that  Wilder  was  not  igno 
rant  of  the  character  of  the  ship  on  board  of  which 
he  had  just  ventured,  yet  did  he  not  receive  the  ac 
knowledgment  without  embarrassment.  The  repu 
tation  of  this  renowned  freebooter,  his  daring,  his 
acts  of  liberality  and  licentiousness  so  frequently 
blended,  and  his  desperate  disregard  of  life  on  all 
occasions,  were  probably  crowding  together  in  the 
recollection  of  our  more' youthful  adventurer,  and 
caused  him  to  feel  that  species  of  responsible  hesi 
tation,  to  which  we  are  all  more  or  less  subject  on 
the  occurrence  of  important  events,  be  they  ever  so 
much  expected. 

"  You  have  not  mistaken  my  purpose,  or  my  sus 
picions,"  he  at  length  answered,  "  for  I  own  J  have 


THE   RED   ROVER.  97 

come  in  search  of  this  very  ship.  1  accept  the  ser 
vice ;  and,  from  this  moment,  you  will  rate  me  in 
whatever  station  you  may  think  me  hest  able  to  dis 
charge  my  duty  with  credit." 

"  You  are  next  to  myself.  In  the  morning,  the 
same  shall  be  proclaimed  on  the  quarter-deck  ;  and, 
in  the  event  of  my  death,  unless  I  am  deceived  in 
my  man,  you  will  prove  my  successor.  This  ma) 
strike  you  as  sudden  confidence.  It  is  so,  in  part,  I 
must  acknowledge ;  but  our  shipping  lists  cannot  be 
opened,  like  those  of  the  King,  by  beat  of  drum  in 
the  streets  of  the  metropolis ;  and,  then,  am  I  no 
judge  of  the  human  heart,  if  my  frank  reliance  on 
your  faith  does  not,  in  itself,  strengthen  your  good 
feelings  in  my  favour." 

"  It  does  ! "  exclaimed  Wilder,  with  sudden  and 
deep  emphasis. 

The  Rover  smiled  calmly,  as  he  continued, — 

"  Young  gentlemen  of  your  years  are  apt  to  carry 
no  small  portion  of  their  hearts  in  their  hands.  But, 
notwithstanding  this  seeming  sympathy,  in  order  that 
you  may  have  sufficient  respect  for  the  discretion  of 
your  leader,  it  is  necessary  that  I  should  say  we  have 
met  before.  I  was  apprised  of  your  intention  to  seek 
me  out,  and  to  offer  to  join  me." 

"  It  is  impossible ! "  cried  Wilder,  "  No  human 
being—" 

"  Can  ever  be  certain  his  secrets  are  safe,"  inter 
rupted  the  other,  "  when  he  carries  a  face  as  ingen 
uous  as  your  own.  It  is  but  four-and-twenty  hours 
since  you  were  in  the  good  town  of  Boston." 

"  I  admit  that  much  ;  but — " 

u  You  will  soon  admit  the  rest.  You  were  too 
curious  in  your  inquiries  of  the  dolt  who  declares 
he  was  robbed  by  us  of  his  provisions  and  sails.  The 
false-tongued  villain !  It  may  be  well  for  him  to  keep 
from  my  path,  or  he  may  get  a  lesson  that  shall  prick 
his  honesty.  Does  he  think  such  pitiful  game  as  he 


98  THE    RED    ROVER. 

would  induce  me  to  spread  a  single  inch  of  canvas, 
or  even  to  lower  a  boat  into  the  sea !" 

"  Is  not  his  statement,  then,  true?1'  demanded 
Wilder,  in  a  surprise  he  took  no  pains  to  conceal. 

"  True  !  Am  I  what  report  has  made  me  1  Look 
keenly  at  the  monster,  that  nothing  may  escape  you," 
returned  the  Rover,  with  a  hollow  laugh,  in  which 
scorn  struggled  to  keep  down  the  feelings  of  wound 
ed  pride.  "  Where  are  the  horns,  and  the  cloven 
foot  ?  Snuff  the  air :  Is  it  not  tainted  with  sulphur  ? 
But  enough  of  this.  I  knew  of  your  inquiries,  and 
liked  your  mien.  In  short,  you  were  my  study ;  and, 
though  my  approaches  were  made  with  some  cau 
tion,  they  were  sufficiently  nigh  to  effect  the  object. 
You  pleased  me,  Wilder ;  and  I  hope  the  satisfaction 
may  be  mutual." 

The  newly  engaged  buccanier  bowed  to  the  com 
pliment  of  his  superior,  and  appeared  at  some  little 
loss  for  a  reply:  As  if  to  get  rid  of  the  subject  at 
once,  he  hurriedly  observed, — 

"  As  we  now  understand  each  other,  I  will  intrude 
no  longer,  but  leave  you  for  the  night,  and  return  to 
my  duty  in  the  morning." 

"  Leave  me  ! "  returned  the  Rover,  stopping  short 
in  his  walk,  and  fastening  his  eye  keenly  on  the 
other.  "  It  is  not  usual  for  my  officers  to  leave  me 
at  this  hour.  A  sailor  should  love  his  ship,  and  never 
sleep  out  of  her,  unless  on  compulsion." 

"  We  may  as  well  understand  each  other,"  said 
Wilder,  quickly.  "  If  it  is  to  be  a  slave,  and,  like 
one  of  the  bolts,  a  fixture  in  the  vessel,  that  you  need 
me,  our  bargain  is  at  an  end." 

"  Hum  !  I  admire  your  spirit,  sir,  much  more  than 
your  discretion.  You  will  find  me  an  attached  friend, 
and  one  who  little  likes  a  separation,  however  short. 
Is  there  not  enough  to  content  you  here  ?  I  will  not 
speak  of  such  low  considerations  as  those  which  ad 
minister  to  the  ordinary  appetites.  But,  you  havr 


THE   RED    ROVER.  99 

been  taught  the  value  of  reason ;  here  are  books — 
you  have  taste;  here  is  elegance — you  are  poor, 
here  is  wealth." 

"  They  amount  to  nothing,  without  liberty,"  cold 
ly  returned  the  other. 

"And  what  is  this  liberty  you  ask  ?  I  hope,  young 
man,  you  would  not  so  soon  betray  the  confidence 
you  have  just  received !  Our  acquaintance  is  but 
short,  and  I  may  have  been  too  hasty  in  my  faith." 

"  I  must  return  to  the  land,"  Wilder  added,  firmly, 
"  if  it  be  only  to  know  that  I  am  intrusted,  and  am 
not  a  prisoner." 

"  There  is  generous  sentiment,  or  deep  villany, 
in  all  this,"  resumed  the  Rover,  after  a  minute  of 
deep  thought.  "  I  will  believe  the  former.  De 
clare  to  me,  that,  while  in  the  town  of  Newport, 
you  will  inform  no  soul  of  the  true  character  of  this 
ship." 

"  I  will  swear  it,"  eagerly  interrupted  Wilder. 

44  On  this  cross,"  rejoined  the  Rover,  with  a  sar 
castic  laugh  ;  "  on  this  diamond-mounted  cross  !  No, 
sir,"  he  added,  with  a  proud  curl  of  the  lip,  as  he 
cast  the  jewel  contemptuously  aside,  "  oaths  are  made 
for  men  who  need  laws  to  keep  them  to  their  prom 
ises  ;  I  need  no  more  than  the  clear  and  unequivocal 
affirmation  of  a  gentleman." 

44  Then,  plainly  and  unequivocally  do  I  declare, 
that,  while  in  Newport,  I  will  discover  the  character 
of  this  ship  to  no  one,  without  your  wish,  or  order 
so  to  do.  Nay  more" — 

*'•  No  more.  It  is  wise  to  be  sparing  of  our  pledges, 
and  to  say  no  more  than  the  occasion  requires.  The 
time  may  come  when  you  might  do  good  to  yourself, 
without  harming  me,  by  being  unfettered  by  a  prom 
ise.  In  an  hour,  you  shall  land ;  that  time  will  be 
needed  to  make  you  acquainted  with  the  terms  of 
your  enlistment,  and  to  grace  my  rolls  with  your 


100  THE    RED    ROVER. 

name. — -Roderick,"   he  added,  again  touching  the 
gong,  "  you  are  wanted,  boy." 

The  same  active  lad,  that  had  made  his  appear 
ance  at  the  first  summons,  ran  up  the  steps  from  the 
cabin  beneath,  and  announced  his  presence  again  by 
his  voice. 

"Roderick,"  continued  the  Rovei,  "this  is  my 
future  lieutenant,  and,  of  course,  your  officer,  and 
my  friend.  Will  you  take  refreshment,  sir  ?  there 
is  little,  that  man  needs,  which  Roderick  cannot 
supply." 

"  I  thank  you  ;  I  have  need  of  none.'* 

"  Then,  have  the  goodness  to  follow  the  boy.  He 
will  show  you  into  the  dining  apartment  beneath, 
and  give  you  the  written  regulations.  In  an  hour, 
you  will  have  digested  the  code,  and  by  that  time  I 
shall  be  with  you.  Throw  the  light  more  upon  the 
ladder,  boy;  you  can  descend  without  a  ladder  though, 
it  would  seem,  or  I  should  not,  at  this  moment,  have 
the  pleasure  of  your  company." 

The  intelligent  smile  of  the  Rover  was  unanswer 
ed  by  any  corresponding  evidence  from  the  subject 
of  his  joke,  that  he  found  satisfaction  in  the  remem 
brance  of  the  awkward  situation  in  which  he  had 
been  left  in  the  tower.  The  former  caught  the  dis 
pleased  expression  of  the  other's  countenance,  as  he 
gravely  prepared  to  follow  the  boy,  who  already  stood 
in  the  hatchway  with  a  light.  Advancing  a  step 
with  the  grace  and  tones  of  sensitive  breeding,  he 
said  quickly, — 

"  Mr  Wilder,  I  owe  you  an  apology  for  my  seem 
ing  rudeness  at  parting  on  the  hill.  Though  I  believed 
you  mine,  I  was  not  sure  of  my  acquisition.  You 
will  readily  see  how  necessary  it  might  be,  to  one  in 
my  situation,  to  throw  off  a  companion  at  such  a 
moment." 

Wilder  turned,  with  a  countenance  from  which 


THE    RED    ROVER.  101 

every  shade  of  displeasure  had  vanished,  and  mo 
tioned  to  him  to  say  no  more. 

"It  was  awkward  enough,  certainly,  to  find  one's 
self  in  such  a  prison  ;  but  I  feel  the  justice  of  what 
you  say.  I  might  have  done  the  very  thing  myself, 
if  the  same  presence  of  mind  were  at  hand  to  help 
me." 

"  The  good  man,  who  grinds  in  the  Newport  ruin, 
must  be  in  a  sad  way,  since  all  the  rats  are  leaving 
his  mill,"  cried  the  Rover  gaily,  as  his  companion 
descended  after  the  boy.  Wilder  now  freely  return 
ed  his  open,  cordial  laugh,  and  then,  as  he  descended, 
the  cabin  was  left  to  him  who,  a  few  minutes  before, 
had  been  found  in  its  quiet  possession. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

"  The  world  affords  no  law  to  make  thee  rich  ; 
Then  be  not  poor,  but  break  it,  and  take  this." 
Apoth.  "  My  poverty,  but  not  my  will,  consents." 

Romeo  and  Juliet. 

THE  Rover  arrested  his  step,  as  the  other  disap 
peared,  and  stood  for  more  than  a  minute  in  an  at 
titude  of  high  and  self-gratulating  triumph.  It  was 
quite  apparent  he  was  exulting  in  his  success.  But, 
though  his  intelligent  face  betrayed  the  satisfaction 
of  the  inward  man,  it  was  illumined  by  no  expres 
sion  of  vulgar  joy.  It  was  the  countenance  of  one 
who  was  suddenly  relieved  from  intense  care,  rather 
than  that  of  a  man  who  was  greedy  of  profiting  by 
the  services  of  others.  Indeed,  it  would  not  have 
been  difficult,  for  a  close  and  practised  observer,  to 
have  detected  a  shade  of  regret  in  the  lightings  of 
his  seductive  smile,  or  in  the  momentary  flashes  of 
his  changeful  eye.  The  feeling,  however,  quickly 
passed  away,  and  his  whole  figure  and  countenance 
12 


102  THE    RED    ROVER. 

resumed  the  ordinary  easy  mien  in  which  he  most 
indulged  in  his  hours  of  retirement. 

After  allowing  sufficient  time  for  the  boy  to  con 
duct  Wilder  to  the  necessary  cabin,  and  to  put  him 
in  possession  of  the  regulations  for  the  police  of  the 
ship,  the  Captain  again  touched  the  gong,  and  once 
more  summoned  the  former  to  his  presence.  The  lad 
had,  however,  to  approach  the  elbow  of  his  master, 
and  to  speak  thrice,  before  the  other  was  conscious 
that  he  had  answered  his  call. 

"  Roderick,"  said  the  Rover,  after  a  long  pause, 
"are  you  there?" 

"  I  am  here,"  returned  a  low,  and  seemingly  a 
mournful  voice. 

"  Ah !  you  gave  him  the  regulations  ?" 

"  1  did." 

"And  he  reads?" 

"  He  reads." 

"  It  is  well.  I  would  speak  to  the  General.  Rod 
erick,  you  must  have  need  of  rest ;  good  night ;  let 
the  General  be  summoned  to  a  council,  and — Good 
night,  Roderick." 

The  boy  made  an  assenting  reply ;  but,  instead  of 
springing,  with  his  former  alacrity,  to  execute  the  or 
der,  he  lingered  a  moment  nigh  his  master's  chair. 
Failing,  however,  in  his  wish  to  catch  his  eye,  he 
slowly  and  reluctantly  descended  the  stairs  which 
led  into  the  lower  cabins,  and  was  seen  no  more. 

It  is  needless  to  describe  the  manner  in  which  the 
General  made  his  second  appearance.  It  differed 
in  no  particular  from  his  former  entree,  except  that, 
on  this  occasion,  the  whole  of  his  person  was  devel 
oped.  He  appeared  a  tall,  upright  form,  that  was 
far  from  being  destitute  of  natural  grace  and  propor 
tions,  but  which  had  been  so  exquisitely  drilled  into 
simultaneous  movement,  that  the  several  members 
had  so  far  lost  the  power  of  volition,  as  to  render  it 
impossible  for  one  to  stir,  without  producing  some- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  103 

thing  like  a  correspondent  demonstration  in  all  its  fel 
lows.  This  rigid  and  well-regulated  personage,  after 
making  a  formal  military  bow  to  his  superior,  helped 
himself  to  a  chair,  in  which,  after  some  little  time 
lost  in  preparation,  he  seated  himself  in  silence. 
The  Rover  seemed  conscious  of  his  presence ;  for 
he  acknowledged  his  salute  by  a  gentle  inclination 
of  his  own  head ;  though  he  did  not  appear  to  think 
it  necessary  to  suspend  his  ruminations  the  more  on 
that  account.  At  length,  however,  he  turned  short 
upon  his  companion,  and  said  abruptly, — 
"  General,  the  campaign  is  not  finished." 
"  What  remains  ?  the  field  is  won,  and  the  enemy 
is  a  prisoner." 

"  Ay,  your  part  of  the  adventure  is  well  achieved, 
but  much  of  mine  remains  to  be  done.     You  saw 
the  youth  in  the  lower  cabin  ?" 
"  I  did." 

"  And  how  find  you  his  appearance  ?" 
"  Maritime." 

"  That  is  as  much  as  to  say,  you  like  him  not." 
"  I  like  discipline." 

"  I  am  much  mistaken  if  you  do  not  find  him  to 
your  taste  on  the  quarter-deck.     Let  that  be  as  it 
may,  I  have  still  a  favour  to  ask  of  you  !" 
**  A  favour  ! — it  is  getting  late." 
"  Did  I  say  *  a  favour?'  there  is  duty  to  be  yet 
done." 

"  I  wait  your  orders." 

"  It  is  necessary  that  we  use  great  precaution 

for,  as  you  know"" 

"  I  wait  your  orders,"  laconically  repeated  the 
other. 

The  Rover  compressed  his  mouth,  and  a  scornful 
smile  struggled  about  the  nether  lip  ;  but  it  changed 
into  a  look  half  bland,  half  authoritative,  as  he  con 
tinued, — 
"  You  will  find  two  seamen,  in  a  skiff,  alongside 


104  THE   RED    ROVER. 

the  ship  ;  the  one  is  white,  and  the  other  is  black 
These  men  you  will  have  conducted  into  the  ves 
sel — into  one  of  the  forward  state-rooms — and  yow 
will  have  them  both  thoroughly  intoxicated." 

"  It  shall  be  done,"  returned  he  who  was  called 
the  General,  rising,  and  marching  with  long  strides 
towards  the  door  of  the  cabin. 

"  Pause  a  moment,"  exclaimed  the  Rover ;  "  what 
agent  will  you  use  ?" 

"  Nightingale  has  the  strongest  head  but  one  in 
the  ship." 

"  He  is  too  far  gone  already.  I  sent  him  ashore, 
to  look  about  for  any  straggling  seamen  who  might 
like  our  service ;  and  I  found  him  in  a  tavern,  with 
all  the  fastenings  off  his  tongue,  declaiming  like  a 
lawyer  who  had  taken  a  fee  from  both  parties. 
Besides,  he  had  a  quarrel  with  one  of  these  very 
men,  and  it  is  probable  they  would  get  to  blows  in 
their  cups." 

"  I  will  do  it  myself.  My  night-cap  is  waiting  for 
me ;  and  it  is  only  to  lace  it  a  little  tighter  than 
common." 

The  Rover  seemed  content  with  this  assurance  ; 
for  he  expressed  his  satisfaction  with  a  familiar  nod 
of  the  head.  The  soldier  was  now  about  to  depart, 
when  he  was  again  interrupted. 

"  One  thing  more,  General ;  there  is  your  cap 
tive."— 

"  Shall  I  make  him  drunk  too  ?" 

"  By  no  means.     Let  him  be  conducted  hither." 

The  General  made  an  ejaculation  of  assent,  and 
left  the  cabin.  "  It  were  weak,"  thought  the  Rover, 
as  he  resumed  his  walk  up  and  down  the  apartment, 
"  to  trust  too  much  to  an  ingenuous  face  and  youth 
ful  enthusiasm.  I  am  deceived  if  the  boy  has  not 
had  reason  to  think  himself  disgusted  with  the  world, 
and  ready  to  embark  in  any  romantic  enterprise 
but,  still,  to  be  deceived  might  be  fatal ;  therefore 


THE    RED    ROVER.  105 

will  I  be  prudent,  even  to  excess  of  caution.  He  is 
tied  in  an  extraordinary  manner  to  these  two  sea 
men.  I  would  I  knew  his  hisiory.  But  all  that 
will  come  in  proper  time.  The  men  must  remain 
as  hostages  for  his  own  return,  and  for  his  faith.  If 
he  prove  false,  why,  they  are  seamen  ; — and  many 
men  are  expended  in  this  wild  service  of  ours  !  It 
is  well  arranged ;  and  no  suspicion  of  any  plot  on 
our  part  will  wound  the  sensitive  pride  of  the  boy, 
if  he  be,  as  I  would  gladly  think,  a  true  man." 

Such  was,  in  a  great  manner,  the  train  of  thought 
in  which  the  Rover  indulged,  for  many  minutes, 
after  his  military  companion  had  left  him.  His  lips 
moved  ;  smiles,  and  dark  shades  of  thought,  in  turn, 
chased  each  other  from  his  speaking  countenance, 
which  betrayed  all  the  sudden  and  violent  changes 
that  denote  the  workings  of  a  busy  spirit  within. 
While  thus  engrossed  in  mind,  his  step  became  more 
rapid,  and,  at  times,  he  gesticulated  a  little  extrav 
agantly,  when  he  found  himself,  in  a  sudden  turn, 
unexpectedly  confronted  by  a  form  that  seemed  to 
rise  on  his  sight  like  a  vision. 

While  most  engaged  in  his  own  humours,  two 
powerful  seamen  had,  unheeded,  entered  the  cabin  ; 
and,  after  silently  depositing  a  human  figure  in  a  seat, 
they  withdrew  without  speaking.  It  was  before  this 
personage  that  the  Rover  now  found  himself.  The 
gaze  was  mutual,  long,  and  uninterrupted  by  a  sylla 
ble  from  either  party.  Surprise  and  indecision  held 
the  Rover  mute,  while  wonder  and  alarm  appeared 
to  have  literally  frozen  the  faculties  of  the  other.  At 
length  the  former,  suffering  a  quaint  and  peculiar 
smile  to  gleam  for  a  moment  across  his  countenance, 
said  abruptly, — 

"  I  welcome  sir  Hector  Homespun  !" 

The  eyes  of  the  confounded  tailor — for  it  was  no 
other  than  that  garrulous  acquaintance  of  the  reader 
whr  had  fallen  into  the  toils  of  the  Rover — the 


HNJ  mi     in  o    in. VIM. 

•  •yen  of  Ihr   ,-ood  man   i.dlrd    honi    u  -hi    l<,  Irfl,  ,10 

'" !',,  "i  Ih,  n    \\.indnin-    ,  lh<    in,  dlry  of  rlr#mr« 

and    \\.iild   ,     |>i,  |>n   i! lh.il    ||H   ^    ,   \,  iy    \\h.   n     m,   I. 

M1  '  '     laihii"     lo    ,,  luin,    liom    ra,  h    ri< rdy    look,  In 
'!«   \ Ihr   I.  MM,     th.it     .( |    I,,  |oi,     | 

u  I  miy,  \Yrl<  omr,  mi-  1 1,  ,  (or  I  loincMpun  !"  repeal- 

rd    Ihr   Kox  ,  , 

"    Ih.     I  .oid    will   hr   I.  ni<  nl    |o  Ihr      m     of   ..    mi    ,  i 
•'hi,     l.ilhri    o|       ,   \,  n      n,. ,||    ,  hildien  I"   «  |.i<  ul.il.  d    Hie 
ttilor,       "  II     IM  hul   I. (Mr,  valiant     i'.. .,(,',  ||,.,l    <  .n.   hr 
."oil,  .,    I'on,   ..   h.iid    woiLin;-.,  M|.M  -1,1    (.., dr. .,.,;,.,,  who 

hilH  from    the  rising    lo  Ihr  helling  nun,  hcnl  ovn   In 
lahom     ' 

'  Tin-Mr  air  drhuxili^  (rrniM  for  «  Invah  ^  ,  n  I  Icr- 
lor,"  n.l,  i  M.pi,  d  (hr  Uovrr,  laying  hirt  hiuid  on  llu- 
hiili  ndni"  \vhi|»,  \\liK  h  had  IMM-II  lhio\\n  .  n.  I.  l\ 

""  Ihr  «  .Lin  l.ildr,  .ind,  l.i|.|»nif  Ihr  ..hoiddrr  of  Ihr 
'"'«>'  \\llh  Ihr  :,.inir,  as  lhon;di  hr  \\rir  .1  sonrni, 
and  would  disrn*  haul  Ihr  other  with  (hr  Ion,  h  : 
"  l  'hrrr  ii|>,  IUUH-M!  and  I<M  .,|  .-aih|,-,l  :  l-'orluiu-  has  at 
l(  "  ','h  •  (HI  rd  lo  down  :  il  IN  hnl  a  few  hours  MM.  , 
you  coiii|dainrd  th.il  no  custom  ,  .1  m,  to  >om  -.ho|» 
iVoni  (In  .  \ .  .«•  I,  u  i  id  now  air  you  in  a  Ian  \\.iy  (o  do 
Ihr  hiiMiir:,s  of  Ih,  wholr  shiji.11 

11    Mi'    hononi.ildr  .ind    magnanimous   llovrr,"    rr - 

|oinr,|   I  lonirspnn,  \vho,r  Ihirn,  v    n  Imnrd   \\ilh    IIIM 

'",     ,    "I    .mi    an    ini|>o\  ri  i   hrd    and    undone    man. 

IM>     hlr    h.r,    hrrn    onr    of    \\,.ii\     .mil     |>i  •  d».i  I  iona  I  y 

haul-  hi|'  l;i\  r   hlood\    and   .  m.  I    wai .-." 

M  I'no.i  •!..  I  h..N,-  -..ml  lh.il  l-'oidmr  \\.is  just  hr- 
".mniii:'  lo.Minlr.  ('lo(hrs  air  asnrr,  ,.n\  (o;-rn- 
llrnirn  ol  our  profession  as  lo  thr  |».H  i-,h  |>i  u-,1.  \'ou 
•liallnol  Imstt*  n  scam  \\ilhonl  >om  n-waid.  He- 
hold  r*  he  added,  lourhm!',  Ihr  •  |«i  IP-  of  a  secret 
dniNVer,  whn  h  llr\\  open,  and  di  ,.  o\  <  i<  d  .1  ,  on  fused 

1>ilr     ol     -old,    in     \\huh    thr    «oni.     ol      nr.nlv     r\  ri  \ 
'lui    dan  people  \veie  Idended,  "  \\  r  air  no(   \Mlhont 
'.In-  nu  an-  of   paMii.-,  (ho  ,     \\lu»  .,i\r    us 


•MM.  ft  D  '-"vrn.  i'J7 


')  1,,-     u'l'l'-n  <xl,  .!*.!.  on  of  :i   lionli!  of 
t,o!    only  j'H-;il|y  i  x«  «'<M  »liy  Unn;'    of   MM     In,  'I   In 

|,;,,|      ,    V    I      !>'    (<)|C     V/lIlM   '"1,    lull     V/liM    I.      :i«   Ilially       'M 

Irifi  limited  tmfiginatffv  fOWM  ,  ••••    ttoi  fitli 

«  ll«  i    on  lh«      •  ii   i1iv«     l«  •  In.;'     "I    'I"     ;-oo«l 

,     AH.  .  founting  o.,  u,.   M./M,  fo,  ti.«  i«  //  mo 

l     ih.,1    l,i    .  fOT)|iaiiiori  l«  H    »!,«    h«  »  un    «  -('"  '  (| 
to   vi<-,w,  IM-.   furn«t<!    <o   Mi«-   «  nvn  -I    j.  .....  -    "'     " 

«»l 


«  «.nil«l«-'i,»  «-.    ;/i:i.lu:il1y   :•!«  :»lir»:'_    into    !,i       v,i''.:>-     lli« 
'  «.f     ri 


in«  nl, 

"  AIK!  wli;ii  :>rn  I  «x|-«'i«.i  I-,  [^-rforrri,  mi-'l,iy 
S<',;nr»;uj,  lot  my  j^n'lion  of  Hn  •//«•;,  llh  ''  ' 

"  Tluil.  win*  li  you  djiily  jxTfonn  on  Hn  l:m'l  '" 
«  ul,  lo  f.rluon,  :)ii«l  1o  -  '  I''  ili.ij,-  ,  loo,  yotii  I  il 

r,,l    ;,!     ;,    ,,,;,    -j.j'   I.,.].     <!i<  If,.,/    !,«-.     !.,/<  <l,    fiom    hi/.'' 

10    I.M 

"All1  Hi'  /  :>i«  !:>v/!'  •  -.  ;u,'l  in'  IKMOU-  <l«vi'<  ol 
l)i<  ,  ,,'n.y.,  lo  )<  :•«!  tin  ii  ii,  io  m  :m<l  v/oil'lly  :il«oin 

ifiuiion        li'H,  worthy  M:.nn«  i,  11.«  r<   .    my  rli  -  or, 

,,!:,),     ,  nil    o.l,  I  )<     IM    ,   H,ou;'l.      fri'  1  <  r,    in    •,  '  HI     .  :>ii'l 

•  /i  to  wonly  ••'.inf-  .    ;•  i  i       I,-    ii"    lawful  |.:niii'  i 

r>|    niy     !*o   oiii,    :•>(,'!     II)'      molli'i     of    :>     /,'m.'io'J.    olf 
{.rinc;.'" 

"Sl.«   -I,;,!!  i.'.l  want.      'I  liin  r   :»n  nnyluffl   f'"  -1' 
fn-"l    l.-j  li:in«l'-..      Yo'ir    rn<*n,  who  hav<    not    form 

«  nour'li   l'>  «  ornm:iii'l   :•!    liom«-.,  «  om< 

:,  '  ily  of  M  IM"«  .    Von  v/ill  rrc.k*    Hi«     •«   v  nUi  v/ho  li:»^ 


ili«  •   :ir«    :-.up|ioi1«  •'!    oy  v/:i  ;.      h-     t    kliOV/litoo 

.ni'l    :>ll    p.nh«       :"'     '  oiili-nl.      'I  hi  .   r-.  nol    Hi'     !'  :>    I    of 

my  l>f  n<  vol'-i.i  •><  • 

"  !'  ,    pniMttworlliy  :»i'l  (nut,  honOiiral)!^  ^-i|.i  nn 

.iii'l    I    hoj*«:   l!,:>l    I  >'     in     isii'l   !•'  '   off    ;,nn"   n. 
for",M'  /i.    'I'll'    l:il,o'H«-r  i  •  ;--iri-ly  v/oMhy  of  In  .  IHM- 
»i'l    jfv    p'  r;,'lv«  lit'),'  .,   I    -.-lio.jl.l    toil    in 


108  THE    REP    ROVER. 

through  stress  of  compulsion,  I  hope  the  good  woman, 
and  her  young,  may  fatten  on  your  liberality." 

"  You  have  my  word ;  they  shall  not  be  neglected.1 

"  Perhaps,  just  Gentleman,  if  an  allotment  should 
be  made  in  advance  from  that  stock  of  gold,  the 
mind  of  my  consort  would  be  relieved,  her  inquiries 
after  my  fate  not  so  searching,  and  her  spirit  less 
troubled.  I  have  reason  to  understand  the  temper 
of  Desire ;  and  am  well  identified,  that,  while  the 
prospect  of  want  is  before  her  eyes,  there  will  be  a 
clamour  in  Newport.  Now  that  the  Lord  has  gra 
ciously  given  me  the  hopes  of  a  respite,  there  can  be 
no  sin  in  wishing  to  enjoy  it  in  peace." 

Although  the  Rover  was  far  from  believing,  with 
his  captive,  that  the  tongue  of  Desire  could  disturb 
the  harmony  of  his  ship,  he  was  in  the  humour  to  be 
indulgent.  Touching  the  spring  again,  he  took  a 
handful  of  the  gold,  and,  extending  it  towards  Home 
spun,  demanded, — 

"  Will  you  take  the  bounty,  and  the  oath  ?  The 
money  will  then  be  your  own." 

"  The  Lord  defend  us  from  the  evil  one,  and  de 
liver  us  all  from  temptation  f "  ejaculated  the  tailor : 
"  Heroic  Rover,  I  have  a  dread  of  the  law.  Should 
any  evil  overcome  you,  in  the  shape  of  a  King's 
cruiser,  or  a  tempest  cast  you  on  the  land,  there 
might  be  danger  in  being  contaminated  too  closely 
with  your  crew.  Any  little  services  which  I  may 
render,  on  compulsion,  will  be  overlooked,  I  humbly 
hope ;  and  I  trust  to  your  magnanimity,  honest  and 
honourable  Commander,  that  the  same  will  not  be 
forgotten  in  the  division  of  your  upright  earnings." 

"  This  is  but  the  spirit  of  cabbaging,  a  little  dis 
torted,"  muttered  the  Rover,  as  he  turned  lightly  on 
his  heel,  and  tapped  the  gong,  with  an  impatience 
that  sent  the  startling  sound  through  every  cranny  of 
the  ship.  Four  or  five  heads  were  thrust  in  at  the  dif  • 


THE   RED    ROVER.  109 

ferent  doors  of  the  cabin,  and  the  voice  of  one  was 
heard,  desiring  to  know  the  wishes  of  their  leader* 

"  Take  him  to  his  hammock,"  was  the  quick, 
sudden  order. 

The  good-min  Homespun,  who,  from  fright  or 
policy,  appeared  to  be  utterly  unable  to  move,  was 
quickly  lifted  from  his  seat,  and  conveyed  to  the 
door  which  communicated  with  the  quarter-deck. 

"  Pause,"  he  exclaimed  to  his  unceremonious 
bearers,  as  they  were  about  to  transport  him  to  the 
place  designated  by  their  Captain;  "I  have  one 
word  yet  to  say.  Honest  and  loyal  Rebel,  though  I 
do  not  accept  your  service,  neither  do  I  refuse  it  in 
an  unseemly  and  irreverent  manner.  It  is  a  sore 
temptation,  and  I  feel  it  at  my  fingers'  ends.  But  a 
covenant  may  be  made  between  us,  by  which  neither 
party  shall  be  a  loser,  and  in  which  the  law  shall 
find  no  grounds  of  displeasure.  I  would  wish, 
mighty  Commodore,  to  carry  an  honest  name  to  my 
grave,  and  I  would  also  wish  to  live  out  the  number 
of  my  days ;  for,  after  having  passed  with  so  much 
credit,  and  unharmed,  through  five  bloody  and  cruel 
wars" — 

"  Away  with  him !"  was  the  stern  and  startling 
interruption. 

Homespun  vanished,  as  though  magic  had  been 
employed  in  transporting  him,  and  the  Rover  was 
again  left  to  himself.  His  meditations  were  not  in 
terrupted,  for  a  long  time,  by  human  footstep  or 
voice.  That  breathing  stillness,  which  unbending 
and  stern  discipline  can  alone  impart,  pervaded  the 
ship.  A  landsman,  seated  in  the  cabin,  might  have 
fancied  himself,  although  surrounded  by  a  crew  of 
lawless  and  violent  men,  in  the  solitude  of  a  desert 
ed  church,  so  suppressed,  and  deadened,  were  even 
those  sounds  that  were  absolutely  necessary.  There 
were  heard  at  times,  it  is  true,  the  high  and  harsh 
notes  o^  some  reveller  who  appeared  to  break  forth 
K 


HO  THE    RED    ROVER. 

in  the  strains  of  a  sea  song,  which,  as  they  issued 
from  the  depths  of  the  vessel,  and  were  not  very 
musical  in  themselves,  broke  on  the  silence  like  the 
first  discordant  strains  of  a  new  practitioner  on  a 
bugle.  But  even  these  interruptions  gradually  grew 
less  frequent,  and  finally  became  inaudible.  At 
length  the  Rover  heard  a  hand  fumbling  about  the 
handle  of  the  cabin  door,  and  then  his  military  friend 
once  more  made  his  appearance. 

There  was  that  in  the  step,  the  countenance,  and 
the  whole  air  of  the  General,  which  proclaimed 
that  his  recent  service,  if  successful,  had  not  been 
achieved  entirely  without  personal  hazard.  The 
Rover,'  who  had  started  from  his  seat  the  moment  he 
saw  who  had  entered,  instantly  demanded  his  report. 

"  The  white  is  so  drunk,  that  he  cannot  lie  down 
without  holding  on  to  the  mast;  but  the  negro  is 
either  a  cheat,  or  his  head  is  made  of  flint." 

"  I  hope  you  have  not  too  easily  abandoned  the 
design." 

"  I  would  as  soon  batter  a  mountain !  my  retreat 
was  not  made  a  minute  too  soon." 

The  Rover  fastened  his  eyes  on  the  General,  for  a 
moment,  in  order  to  assure  himself  of  the  precise 
condition  of  his  subaltern,  ere  he  replied, — 

"  It  is  well.  We  will  now  retire  for  the  night." 

The  other  carefully  dressed  his  tall  person,  and 
brought  his  face  in  the  direction  of  the  little  hatch 
way  so  often  named.  Then,  by  a  sort  of  desperate 
effort,  he  essayed  to  march  to  the  spot,  with  his  cus 
tomary  upright  mien  and  military  step.  As  one  or 
two  erratic  movements,  and  crossings  of  the  legs, 
were  not  commented  on  by  his  Captain,  the  worthy 
martinet  descended  the  stairs,  as  he  believed,  with 
sufficient  dignity ;  the  moral  man  not  being  in  the 
precise  state  which  is  the  best  adapted  to  discover 
any  little  blunders  that  might  be  made  by  his  physi 
cal  coadjutor.  The  Rover  looked  at  his  watch ;  and, 


THE   RED   ROVER.  Ill 

after  allowing  sufficient  time  for  the  deliberate  re 
treat  of  the  General,  he  stepped  lightly  on  the  stairs, 
and  descended  also. 

The  lower  apartments  of  the  vessel,  though  less 
striking  in  their  equipments  than  the  upper  cabin 
were  arranged  with  great  attention  to  neatness  and 
comfort.     A  few  offices  for  the  servants  occupied 
the  extreme  after-part  of  the  ship,  communicating 
by  doors  with  the  dining  apartment  of  the  secondary 
officers ;  or,  as  it  was  called  in  technical  language, 
the  "  ward-room."  On  either  side  of  this,  again,  were 
the  state-rooms,  an  imposing  name,  by  which  the 
dormitories  of  those  who  are  entitled  to  the  honours 
of  the  quarter-deck  are  ever  called.     Forward  of 
the  ward-room,  came  the  apartments  of  the  minor 
officers ;   and,   immediately   in   front  of  them,  the 
corps  of  the  individual  who  was  called  the  General 
was  lodged,  forming,  by  their  discipline,  a  barrier  be 
tween  the  more  lawless  seamen  and  their  superiors. 
There  was  little  departure,  in  this  disposition  of 
the  accommodations,  from  the  ordinary  arrangements 
of  vessels  of  war  of  the  same  description  and  force 
as  the  <;  Hover ;"  but  Wilder  had  not  failed  to  re 
mark,  that  the  bulkheads  which  separated  the  cabins 
from  the  birth-deck,  or  the  part  occupied  by  the 
crew,  were  far  stouter  than  common,  and  that  a 
small  howitzer  was  at  hand,  to  be  used,  as  a  physi 
cian  might  say,  internally,  should  occasion  require. 
The  doors  were  of  extraordinary  strength,  and  the 
means  of  barricadoing  them  resembled  more  a  prep 
aration  for  battle,  than  the  usual  securities  against 
petty  encroachments  on  private  property.     Muskets, 
blunderbusses,  pistols,  sabres,  half-pikes,  &c.,  were 
fixed  to  the  beams  and  carlings,  or  were  made  to 
serve  as  ornaments  against  the  different  bulkheads, 
in  a  profusion  that  plainly  told  they  were  there  as 
much  for  use  as  for  show.     In  short,  to  the  eye  of  a 
seaman,  the  whole  betrayed  a  state  of  things,  in 


112  THE   RED    ROVER. 

which  the  superiors  felt  that  their  whole  security, 
against  the  violence  and  insubordination  of  their  in 
feriors,  depended  on  their  influence  and  their  ability 
to  resist,  united ;  and  that  the  former  had  not  deem 
ed  it  prudent  to  neglect  any  of  the  precautions  which 
might  aid  their  comparatively  less  powerful  physical 
force. 

In  the  principal  of  the  lower  apartments,  or  the 
ward-room,  the  Rover  found  his  newly  enlisted  lieu 
tenant,  apparently  busy  in  studying  the  regulations 
of  the  service  in  which  he  had  just  embarked.  Ap 
proaching  the  corner  in  which  the  latter  had  seated 
himself,  the  former  said,  in  a  frank,  encouraging,  and 
even  confidential  manner, — 

"  I  hope  you  find  our  laws  sufficiently  firm,  Mr 
Wilder." 

"  Want  of  firmness  is  not  their  fault ;  if  the  same 
quality  can  always  be  observed  in  administering 
them,  it  is  well,"  returned  the  other,  rising  to  salute 
his  superior.  "  I  have  never  found  such  rigid  rules, 
even  in  " 

"  Even  in  what,  sir  ?"  demanded  the  Rover,  per 
ceiving  that  his  companion  hesitated. 

"  I  was  about  to  say,  *  Even  in  his  Majesty's  ser 
vice,1  "  returned  Wilder,  slightly  colouring.  "  I  know 
not  whether  it  may  be  a  fault,  or  a  recommendation, 
to  have  served  in  a  King's  ship." 

"  It  is  the  latter ;  at  least  I,  for  one,  should 
think  it  so,  since  I  learned  my  trade  in  the  same 
service." 

"  In  what  ship  ?"  eagerly  interrupted  Wilder. 

"  In  many,"  was  the  cold  reply.  "  But,  speaking 
of  rigid  rules,  you  will  soon  perceive,  that,  in  a  service 
where  there  are  no  courts  on  shore  to  protect  us, 
nor  any  sister-cruisers  to  look  after  each  other's  wel 
fare,  no  small  portion  of  power  is  necessarily  vested 
in  the  Commander.  Ycu  find  my  authority  a  good 
deal  extended." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  1  13 

"  A  little  unlimited,"  said  Wilder,  with  a  smile 
that  might  have  passed  for  ironical. 

"  I  hope  you  will  have  no  occasion  to  say  that  it 
is  arbitrarily  executed,"  returned  the  Rover,  without 
observing,  or  perhaps  without  letting  it  appear  that 
he  observed,  the  expression  of  his  companion's  coun 
tenance.  "  But  your  hour  is  come,  and  you  are  now 
at  liberty  to  land." 

The  young  man  thanked  him,  with  a  courteous  in 
clination  of  the  head,  and  expressed  his  readiness  to 
go.  As  they  ascended  the  ladder  into  the  upper 
cabin,  the  Captain  expressed  his  regret  that  the  hour, 
and  the  necessity  of  preserving  the  incognito  of  his 
ship,  would  not  permit  him  to  send  an  officer  of  his 
rank  ashore  in  the  manner  he  could  wish. 

"  But  then  there  is  the  skiff,  in  which  you  came 
off,  still  alongside,  and  your  own  two  stout  fellows 
will  soon  twitch  you  to  yon  point.  A  propos  of 
those  two  men,  are  they  included  in  our  arrange 
ments  ?" 

"  They  have  never  quitted  me  since  my  childhood, 
and  would  not  wish  to  do  it  now." 

"  It  is  a  singular  tie  that  unites  two  men,  so  oddly 
constituted,  to  one  so  different,  by  habits  and  educa 
tion,  from  themselves,"  returned  the  Rover,  glancing 
his  eye  keenly  at  the  other,  and  withdrawing  it  the 
instant  he  perceived  his  interest  in  the  answer  was 
observed. 

"  It  is,"  Wilder  calmly  replied  ;  "  but,  as  we  are 
all  seamen,  the  difference  is  not  so  great  as  one 
would  at  first  imagine.  I  will  now  join  them,  and 
take  an  opportunity  to  let  them  know  that  they  are 
to  serve  in  future  under  your  orders." 

The  Rover  suffered  him  to  leave  the  cabin,  fol 
lowing  to  the  quarter-deck,  with  a  careless  step,  as 
if  he  had  come  abroad  to  breathe  the  open  air  of  the 
night. 

The  weather  had  not  changed,  but  it  still  con- 

K  2 


114  THE   BED   ROVER. 

firmed  dark,  though  mild.  The  same  stillness  as 
before  reigned  on  the  decks  of  the  ship  ;  and  no 
where,  with  a  solitary  exception,  was  a  human  form 
to  be  seen,  amid  the  collection  of  dark  objects  that 
rose  on  the  sight,  all  of  which  Wilder  well  under 
stood  to  be  necessary  fixtures  in  the  vessel.  The 
exception  was  the  same  individual  who  had  first 
received  our  adventurer,  and  who  still  paced  the 
quarter-deck,  wrapped,  as  before,  in  a  watch-coat. 
To  this  personage  the  youth  now  addressed  himself, 
announcing  his  intention  temporarily  to  quit  the  ves 
sel.  His  communication  was  received  with  a  respect 
that  satisfied  him  his  new  rank  was  already  known, 
although,  as  it  would  seem,  it  was  to  be  made  to 
succumb  to  the  superior  authority  of  the  Rover. 

"  You  know,  sir,  that  no  one  of  whatever  station, 
can  leave  the  ship  at  this  hour,  without  an  order 
from  the  Captain,"  was  the  civil,  but  steady  repiy. 

"  So  I  presume ;  but  I  have  the  order,  and  trans 
mit  it  to  you.  I  shall  land  in  my  own  boat." 

The  other,  seeing  a  figure  within  hearing,  which 
he  well  knew  to  be  that  of  his  Commander,  waited 
an  instant,  to  ascertain  if  what  he  heard  was  true 
Finding  that  no  objection  was  made,  nor  any  sign 
given,  to  the  contrary,  he  merely  indicated  the  place 
where  the  other  would  find  his  boat. 

"  The  men  have  left  it!"  exclaimed  Wilder,  step 
ping  back  in  surprise,  as  he  was  about  to  descend 
the  vessel's  side. 

"  Have  the  rascals  run  ?" 

"  Sir,  they  have  not  run ;  neither  are  they  ras 
cals.  They  are  in  this  ship,  and  must  be  found." 

The  other  waited,  to  witness  the  effect  of  these 
authoritative  words,  too,  on  the  individual,  who  still 
lingered  in  the  shadow  of  a  mast.  As  no  answer 
was,  however,  given  from  that  quarter,  he  saw  the 
necessity  of  obedience.  Intimating  his  intention  to 
seek  the  men,  he  passed  into  the  forward  parts  of 


THE    RED    ROVER.  115 

the  vessel,  leaving  Wilder,  as  he  thought,  in  the  sole 
possession  of  the  quarter-deck.  The  latter  was, 
however,  soon  undeceived.  The  Rover,  advancing 
carelessly  to  his  side,  made  an  allusion  to  the  con 
dition  of  his  vessel,  in  order  to  divert  the  thoughts 
of  his  new  lieutenant,  who,  by  his  hurried  manner  of 
pacing  the  deck,  he  saw,  was  beginning  to  indulge 
in  uneasy  meditations. 

"  A  charming  sea-boat,  Mr  Wilder,"  he  continued, 
"  and  one  that  never  throws  a  drop  of  spray  abaft 
her  mainmast.  She  is  just  the  craft  a  seaman  loves  ; 
easy  on  her  rigging,  and  lively  in  a  sea.  I  call  her 
the  l  Dolphin,'  from  the  manner  in  which  she  cuts 
the  water  ;  and,  perhaps,  because  she  has  as  many 
colours  as  that  fish,  you  will  say — Jack  must  have  a 
name  for  his  ship,  you  know,  and  I  dislike  your  cut 
throat  appellations,  your  *  Spit-fires'  and  k  Bloody- 
murders.'  " 

"You  were  fortunate  in  finding  such  a  vessel. 
Was  she  built  to  your  orders  ?" 

"  Few  ships,  under  six  hundred  tons,  sail  from 
these  colonies,  that  are  not  built  to  serve  my  pur 
poses,"  returned  the  Rover,  with  a  smile ;  as  if  he 
would  cheer  his  companion,  by  displaying  the  mine 
of  wealth  that  was  opening  to  him,  through  the  new 
connexion  he  had  made.  "  This  vessel  was  originally 
built  for  his  Most  Faithful  Majesty ;  and,  I  believe, 
was  either  intended  as  a  present  or  a  scourge  to  the 
Algerines  ;  but — but  she  has  changed  owners,  as  you 
see,  and  her  fortune  is  a  little  altered ;  though  how, 
or  why,  is  a  trifle  with  which  we  will  not,  just  now, 
divert  ourselves.  I  have  had  her  in  port ;  she  has 
undergone  some  improvements,  and  is  now  altogether 
suited  to  a  running  trade." 

"  You  then  venture,  sometimes,  inside  the  forts  ?" 

"  When  you  have  leisure,  my  private  journal  may 
aflbrd  some  interest,"  the  other  evasively  replied. 


116  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  I  hope,  Mr  Wilder,  you  find  this  vessel  in  such  a 
slate  that  a  seaman  need  not  blush  for  her  ?" 

"  Her  beauty  and  neatness  first  caught  my  eye, 
and  induced  me  to  make  closer  inquiries  into  her 
character." 

"  You  were  quick  in  seeing  that  she  was  kept  at  a 
single  anchor  !"  returned  the  other,  laughing.  "  But 
I  never  risk  any  thing  without  a  reason ;  not  even 
the  loss  of  my  ground  tackle.  It  would  be  no  great 
achievement,  for  so  warm  a  battery  as  this  I  carry, 
to  silence  yonder  apology  for  a  fort ;  but,  in  doing  it, 
we  might  receive  an  unfortunate  hit,  and  therefore 
do  I  keep  ready  for  an  instant  departure." 

"  It  must  be  a  little  awkward,  to  fight  in  a  war 
where  one  cannot  lower  his  flag  in  any  emergency !" 
said  Wilder ;  more  like  one  who  mused,  than  one 
who  intended  to  express  the  opinion  aloud. 

"  The  bottom  is  always  beneath  us,"  was  the  la 
conic  answer.  "  But  to  you  I  may  say,  that  I  am, 
on  principle,  tender  on  my  spars.  They  are  exam 
ined  daily,  like  the  heels  of  a  racer ;  for  it  often 
happens  that  our  valour  must  be  well-tempered  by 
discretion." 

"  And  how,  and  where,  do  you  refit,  when  damag 
ed  in  a  gale,  or  in  a  fight  ?" 

"  Hum !  We  contrive  to  refit,  sir,  and  to  take  the 
sea  in  tolerable  condition." 

He  stopped ;  and  Wilder,  perceiving  that  he  was 
not  yet  deemed  entitled  to  entire  confidence,  contin 
ued  silent.  In  this  pause,  the  officer  returned,  fol 
lowed  by  the  black  alone.  A  few  words  served  to 
explain  the  condition  of  Fid.  It  was  very  apparent 
that  the  young  man  was  not  only  disappointed,  but 
that  he  was  deeply  mortified.  The  frank  and  ingen 
uous  air,  however,  with  which  he  turned  to  the  Ro 
ver,  to  apologize  for  the  dereliction  of  his  follower, 
satisfied  the  latter  that  he  was  far  from  suspecting 


THE    RED    ROVER.  117 

any  improper  agency  in  bringing  about  his  awkward 
condition. 

"  You  know  the  character  of  seamen  too  well, 
sir,"  he  said,  "  to  impute  this  oversight  to  my  poor 
fellow  as  a  heinous  fault.  A  better  sailor  never  lay 
on  a  yard,  or  stretched  a  ratlin,  than  Dick  Fid ;  but 
I  must  allow  he  has  the  quality  of  good  fellowship 
to  excess." 

"  You  are  fortunate  in  having  one  man  left  you 
to  pull  the  boat  ashore,"  carelessly  returned  the 
other. 

"  I  am  more  than  equal  to  that  little  exertion  my 
self:  nor  do  I  like  to  separate  the  men.  With  your 
permission,  the  black  shall  be  birthed,  too,  in  the 
ship  to-night." 

"  As  you  please.  Empty  hammocks  are  not  scarce 
among  us,  since  the  last  brush." 

Wilder  then  directed  the  negro  to  return  to  his 
messmate,  and  to  watch  over  him  so  long  as  he  should 
be  unable  to  look  after  himself.  The  black,  who 
was  far  from  being  as  clear-headed  as  common,  wil 
lingly  complied.  The  young  man  then  took  leave 
of  his  companions,  and  descended  into  the  skiff.  As 
he  pulled,  with  vigorous  arms,  away  from  the  dark 
ship,  his  eyes  were  cast  upward,  with  a  seaman's 
pleasure,  on  the  order  and  neatness  of  her  gear,  and 
thence  they  fell  on  the  frowning  mass  of  the  hull. 
A  light-built,  compact  form  was  seen  standing  on  the 
heel  of  the  bowsprit,  apparently  watching  his  move 
ments  ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  gloom  of  the  cloud 
ed  star-light,  he  was  enabled  to  detect,  in  the  indi 
vidual  who  took  so  much  apparent  interest  in  his 
proceedings,  the  person  of  the 


118  THE    RED    ROVER. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

"  What  is  yon  gentleman  ?" 

NORSE.    "  The  son  and  heir  of  old  Tiberio." 

JULIET.  "  What's  he  that  folhms  there,  that  would  not  dance  ?" 

NURSE.  "  Marry,  I  know  not." 

Romeo  and  Juliet. 

THE  sun  was  just  heaving  up,  out  of  the  field  of 
waters  in  which  the  blue  islands  of  Massachusetts 
lie,  when  the  inhabitants  of  Newport  were  seen 
opening  their  doors  and  windows,  and  preparing  for 
the  different  employments  of  the  day,  with  the  fresh 
ness  and  alacrity  of  people  who  had  wisely  adhered 
to  the  natural  allotments  of  time  in  seeking  their 
rests,  or  in  pursuing  their  pleasures.  The  morning 
salutations  passed  cheerfully  from  one  to  another,  as 
each  undid  the  slight  fastenings  of  his  shop  ;  and 
many  a  kind  inquiry  was  made,  and  returned,  after 
the  condition  of  a  daughter's  fever,  or  the  rheumatism 
of  some  aged  grandam.  As  the  landlord  of  the 
"  Foul  Anchor"  was  so  wary  in  protecting  the  char 
acter  of  his  house  from  any  unjust  imputations  of 
unseemly  revelling,  so  was  he  among  the  foremost 
in  opening  his  doors,  to  catch  any  transient  customer, 
who  might  feel  the  necessity  of  washing  away  the 
damps  of  the  past  night,  in  some  invigorating  stom 
achic.  This  cordial  was  very  generally  taken  in  the 
British  provinces,  under  the  various  names  of  u  bit 
ters,"  "juleps,"  "morning-drams,"  "fogmatics,"  &c., 
according  as  the  situation  of  each  district  appeared 
to  require  some  particular  preventive.  The  custom 
is  getting  a  little  into  disuse,  it  is  true ;  but  still  it 
retains  much  of  that  sacred  character  which  it  would 
seem  is  the  concomitant  of  antiquity.  It  is  not  a 
little  extraordinary  that  this  venerable  and  laudable 
practice,  of  washing  away  the  unwholesome  impuri 
ties  engendered  in  the  human  system,  at  a  time  when. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  119 

as  it  is  entirely  without  any  moral  protector,  it  is 
left  exposed  to  the  attacks  of  all  the  evils  to  which 
flesh  is  heir,  should  subject  the  American  to  the  wit 
ticisms  of  his  European  brother.  We  are  not  among 
the  least  grateful  to  those  foreign  philanthropists  who 
take  so  deep  an  interest  in  our  welfare  as  seldom  to 
let  any  republican  foible  pass,  without  applying  to 
it,  as  it  merits,  the  caustic  application  of  their  puri 
fying  pens.  We  are,  perhaps,  the  more  sensible  of 
this  generosity,  because  we  have  had  so  much  occa 
sion  to  witness,  that,  so  great  is  their  zeal  in  behalf 
of  our  infant  States,  (robust,  and  a  little  unmanage 
able  perhaps,  but  still  infant)  they  are  wont,  in  the 
warmth  of  their  ardour,  to  reform  Cis-atlantic  sins, 
to  overlook  not  a  few  backslidings  of  their  own. 
Numberless  are  the  moral  missionaries  that  the 
mother  country,  for  instance,  has  sent  among  us,  on 
these  pious  and  benevolent  errands.  We  can  only 
regret  that  their  efforts  have  been  crowned  with  so 
little  success.  It  was  our  fortune  to  be  familiarly 
acquainted  with  one  of  these  worthies,  who  never 
lost  an  opportunity  af  declaiming,  above  all,  against 
the  infamy  of  the  particular  practice  to  which  we 
have  just  alluded.  Indeed,  so  broad  was  the  ground 
he  took,  that  he  held  it  to  be  not  only  immoral,  but, 
what  was  far  worse,  ungenteel,  to  swallow  any  thing 
stronger  than  small  beer,  before  the  hour  allotted  to 
dinner.  After  that  important  period,  it  was  not  only 
permitted  to  assuage  the  previous  mortifications  of 
the  flesh,  but,  so  liberal  did  he  show  himself  in  the 
orthodox  indulgence,  that  he  was  regularly  carried 
to  his  bed  at  midnight,  from  which  he  as  regularly 
issued,  in  the  course  of  the  following  morning,  to 
discourse  again  on  the  thousand  deformities  of  pre 
mature  drink.  And  here  we  would  take  occasion 
to  say,  that,  as  to  our  own  insignificant  person,  we 
eschew  the  abomination  altogether ;  and  only  regret 
that  those  of  the  two  nations,  who  find  p\easure  in 


120  THE    RED    ROVER. 

the  practice,  could  not  come  to  some  amicable  un« 
derstanding  as  to  the  precise  period,  of  the  twenty- 
four  hours,  when  it  is  permitted  to  such  Christian 
gentlemen  as  talk  English  to  get  drunk.  That  the 
negotiators  who  framed  the  last  treaty  of  amity 
should  have  overlooked  this  important  moral  topic, 
is  another  evidence  that  both  parties  were  so  tired 
of  an  unprofitable  war  as  to  patch  up  a  peace  in  a 
hurry.  It  is  not  too  late  to  name  a  commission  for 
this  purpose ;  and,  in  order  that  the  question  may  be 
fairly  treated  on  its  merits,  we  presume  to  suggest  to 
the  Executive  the  propriety  of  nominating,  as  our 
commissioner,  some  confirmed  advocate  of  the  sys 
tem  of  "juleps."  It  is  believed  our  worthy  and  in 
dulgent  Mother  can  have  no  difficulty  in  selecting  a 
suitable  opponent  from  the  ranks  of  her  numerous 
and  well-trained  diplomatic  corps. 

With  this  manifestation  of  our  personal  liberality, 
united  to  so  much  interest  in  the  proper,  and  we 
hope  final,  disposition  of  this  important  question,  we 
may  be  permitted  to  resume  the  narrative,  without 
being  set  down  as  advocates  for  morning  stimulants, 
or  evening  intoxication ;  which  is  a  very  just  divis 
ion  of  the  whole  subject,  as  we  believe,  from  no 
very  limited  observation. 

The  landlord  of  the  "  Foul  Anchor,"  then,  was 
early  a-foot,  to  gain  an  honest  penny  from  any  of  the 
supporters  of  the  former  system  who  might  chance 
to  select  his  bar  for  their  morning  sacrifices  to  Bac 
chus,  in  preference  to  that  of  his  neighbour,  he  who 
endeavoured  to  entice  the  lieges,  by  exhibiting  a  red- 
faced  man,  in  a  scarlet  coat,  that  was  called  the 
"  Head  of  George  the  Second."  It  would  seem 
that  the  commendable  activity  of  the  alert  publican 
was  not  to  go  without  its  reward.  The  tide  of  cus 
tom  set  strongly,  for  the  first  half-hour,  towards  the 
haven  of  his  hospitable  bar;  nor  did  he  appear  en 
tirely  to  abandon  the  hopes  of  a  further  influx,  even 


THE    RED    ROVER.  121 

after  the  usual  period  of  such  arrivals  began  to  pass 
away.  Finding,  however,  that  his  customers  were 
beginning  to  depart,  on  their  several  pursuits,  he  left 
his  station,  and  appeared  at  the  outer  door,  with  a 
hand  in  each  pocket,  as  though  he  found  a  secret 
pleasure  in  the  merry  jingling  of  their  new  tenants. 
A  stranger,  who  had  not  entered  with  the  others, 
and  who,  of  course,  had  not  partaken  of  the  cus 
tomary  libations,  was  standing  at  a  little  distance, 
with  a  hand  thrust  into  the  bosom  of  his  vest,  as  if 
he  wrere  chiefly  occupied  with  his  own  reflections 
This  figure  caught  the  understanding  eye  of  the  pub 
hcan,  who  instantly  conceived  that  no  man,  who  had 
had  recourse  to  the  proper  morning  stimulants,  could 
wear  so  meditative  a  face  at  that  early  period  in  the 
cares  of  the  day,  and  that  consequently  something 
was  yet  to  be  gained,  by  opening  the  path  of  direct 
communication  between  them. 

"  A  clean  air  this,  friend,  to  brush  away  the  damps 
of  the  night,"  he  said,  snufting  the  really  delicious 
and  invigorating  breathings  of  a  fine  October  morn 
ing.  "  It  is  such  purifiers  as  this,  that  gives  our  island 
its  character,  and  makes  it  perhaps  the  very  health- 
"est,  as  it  is  universally  admitted  to  be  the  beautiful- 
lest,  spot  in  creation. — A  stranger  here,  'tis  likely  ?" 

"  But  quite  lately  arrived,  sir,"  was  the  reply. 

"A  seafaring  man,  by  your  dress?  and  one  in 
search  of  a  ship,  as  I  am  ready  to  qualify  to  ;"  con 
tinued  the  publican,  chuckling,  perhaps,  at  his  own 
penetration.  "  We  have  many  such  that  passes  here 
away  ;  but  people  mustn't  think,  because  Newport 
is  so  flourishing  a  town,  that  births  can  always  be  had 
for  asking.  Have  you  tried  your  luck  yet  in  the 
Capital  of  the  Bay  Province  ?" 

"  I  left  Boston  no  later  than  the  day  before  yester 
day." 

"  What,  couldn't  the  proud  townsfolk  find  you  a 
ship  I  Ay,  they  are  a  mighty  people  at  talking,  and 
L 


122  THE    RED    ROVER. 

it  isn't  often  that  they  put  their  candle  under  the 
bushel ;  and  yet  there  are  what  I  call  good  judges, 
who  think  Narraganset  Bay  is  in  a  fair  way,  shortly, 
to  count  as  many  sail  as  Massachusetts.  There, 
yonder,  is  a  wholesome  brig,  that  is  going,  within  the 
week,  to  turn  her  horses  into  rum  and  sugar ;  and 
here  is  a  ship  that  hauled  into  the  stream  no  longer 
ago  than  yesterday  sun-down.  That  is  a  noble  ves 
sel,  and  has  cabins  fit  for  a  prince  !  She'll  be  off 
with  the  change  of  the  wind ;  and  I  dare  say  a  good 
hand  wouldn't  go  a-begging  aboard  her  just  now. 
Then  yonder  is  a  slaver,  off  the  fort,  if  you  like  a 
cargo  of  wool-heads  for  your  money." 

"  And  is  it  thought  the  ship  in  the  inner  harbour 
will  sail  with  the  first  wind  ?"  demanded  the  stran 
ger. 

"  It  is  downright.  My  wife  is  a  full  cousin  to  the 
wife  of  the  Collector's  clerk ;  and  I  have  it  straight 
that  the  papers  are  ready,  and  that  nothing  but  the 
wind  detains  them.  I  keep  some  short  scores,  you 
know,  friend,  with  the  blue-jackets,  and  it  behoves 
an  honest  man  to  look  to  his  interests  in  these  hard 
times.  Yes,  there  she  lies  ;  a  well-known  ship,  the 
1  Royal  Caroline.'  She  makes  a  regular  v'yage  once 
a  year  between  the  Provinces  and  Bristol,  touching 
here,  out  and  home,  to  give  us  certain  supplies,  and 
to  wood  and  water ;  and  then  she  goes  home,  or  to 
fhe  Carolinas,  as  the  case  may  be." 

"  Pray,  sir,  has  she  much  of  an  armament  ?"  con 
tinued  the  stranger,  who  began  to  lose  his  thoughtful 
air,  in  the  more  evident  interest  he  was  beginning  to 
take  in  the  discourse. 

"  Yes,  yes  ;  she  is  not  without  a  few  bull-dogs,  to 
bark  in  defence  of  her  own  rights,  and  to  say  a  word 
in  support  of  his  Majesty's  honour,  too ;  God  bless 
him  !  Judy !  you  Jude  !"  he  shouted,  at  the  top  of 
his  voice,  to  a  negro  girl,  who  was  gathering  kind 
ling-wood  among  the  chips  of  a  ship-yard.  "  scamper 


THE    RED    ROVER.  123 

over  to  neighbour  Homespun's,  and  rattle  away  at 
his  bed-room  windows  :  the  man  has  overslept  him 
self:  it  is  not  common  to  hear  seven  o'clock  strike, 
and  the  thirsty  tailor  not  appear  for  his  bitters." 

A  short  cessation  took  place  in  the  dialogue,  while 
the  wench  was  executing  her  master's  orders.  The 
summons  produced  no  other  effect  than  to  draw  a 
shrill  reply  from  Desire,  whose  voice  penetrated, 
through  the  thin  board  coverings  of  the  little  dwell 
ing,  as  readily  as  sound  would  be  conveyed  through 
a  sieve.  In  another  moment  a  window  was  opened, 
and  the  worthy  housewife  thrust  her  disturbed  visage 
into  the  fresh  air  of  the  morning. 

"  What  next !  what  next !"  demanded  the  offend 
ed,  and,  as  she  was  fain  to  believe,  neglected  wife, 
under  the  impression  that  it  was  her  truant  husband, 
making  his  tardy  return  to  his  domestic  allegiance, 
who  had  thus  presumed  to  disturb  her  slumbers.  u  Is 
it  not  enough  that  you  have  eloped  from  my  bed  and 
board,  for  a  long  night,  but  you  must  dare  to  break 
in  on  the  natural  rest  of  a  whole  family,  seven  bless 
ed  children,  without  counting  their  mother !  O  Hec 
tor  !  Hector !  an  example  are  you  getting  to  be  to  the 
young  and  giddy,  and  a  warning  will  you  yet  prove 
to  the  unthoughtful !" 

"  Bring  hither  the  black  book,"  said  the  publican 
to  his  wife,  who  had  been  drawn  to  a  window  by  the 
lamentations  of  Desire ;  "  I  think  the  woman  said 
something  about  starting  on  a  journey  between  two 
days ;  and,  if  such  has  been  the  philosophy  of  the 
good-man,  it  behoves  all  honest  people  to  look  into 
their  accounts.  Ay,  as  I  live,  Keziah,  you  have  let 
the  limping  beggar  get  seventeen  and  sixpence  into 
arrears,  and  that  for  such  trifles  as  morning-drams 
and  night-caps !" 

"  You  are  wrathy,  friend,  without  reason  ;  the  man 
has  made  a  garment  for  the  boy  at  school,  and  found 
the"— 


124  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  Hush,  good  woman,"  interrupted  her  husband 
returning  the  book,  and  making  a  sign  for  her  to  re 
tire  ;  "  I  dare  say  it  will  all  come  round  in  proper 
time,  and  the  less  noise  we  make  about  the  back- 
slidings  of  a  neighbour,  the  less  will  be  said  of  our 
own  transgressions.  A  worthy  and  hard-working 
mechanic,  sir,1'  he  contiuned,  addressing  the  stran 
ger  ;  "  but  a  man  who  could  never  get  the  sun  to 
shine  in  at  his  windows,  though,  Heaven  knows,  the 
glass  is  none  too  thick  for  such  a  blessing." 

"  And  do  you  imagine,  on  evidence  as  slight  as 
this  we  have  seen,  that  such  a  man  has  actually  ab 
sconded?" 

"  Why,  it  is  a  calamity  that  has  befallen  his  bet 
ters  !"  returned  the  publican,  interlocking  his  fingers 
across  the  rotundity  of  his  person,  with  an  air  of 
grave  consideration.  "We  innkeepers — who  live, 
as  it  were,  in  plain  sight  of  every  man's  secrets  ;  for 
it  is  after  a  visit  to  us  that  one  is  apt  truly  to  open 
his  heart — should  know  something  of  the  affairs  of  a 
neighbourhood.  If  the  good-man  Homespun  could 
smooth  down  the  temper  of  his  companion  as  easily 
as  he  lays  a  seam  into  its  place,  the  thing  might  not 
occur,  but -Do  you  drink  this  morning,  sir  ?" 

"  A  drop  of  your  best." 

"  As  I  was  saying,"  continued  the  other,  while  he 
furnished  his  customer,  according  to  his  desire,  "  if  a 
tailor's  goose  would  take  the  wrinkles  cut  of  the 
ruffled  temper  of  a  woman,  as  it  does  out  of  the 
cloth  ;  and  then,  if,  after  it  had  done  this  task,  a  man 
might  eat  it,  as  he  would  yonder  bird  hanging  behind 

my  bar Perhaps  jou  will  have  occasion  to  make 

your  dinner  with  us,  too,  sir?" 

u  I  cannot  say  I  shall  not,"  returned  the  stranger, 
paying  for  the  dram  he  had  barely  tasted  ;  "  it  great 
ly  depends  on  the  result  of  my  inquiries  concerning 
the  different  vessels  in  the  port." 

"  Then  would  I,  though  perfectly  disinterested,  as 


THE    RED    ROVER.  125 

you  know,  sir,  recommend  you  to  make  this  house 
your  home,  while  you  sojourn  in  the  town.  It  is  the 
resort  of  most  of  the  seafaring  men ;  and  I  may  say 
this  much  of  myself,  without  conceit — No  man  can 
tell  you  more  of  what  you  want  to  know,  than  the 
landlord  of  the  '  Foul  Anchor.'  " 

"  You  advise  an  application  to  the  Commander  of 
this  vessel,  in  the  stream,  for  a  birth  :  Will  she  sail 
so  soon  as  you  have  named  ?" 

"  With  the  first  wind.  I  know  the  whole  history 
of  the  ship,  from  the  day  they  laid  the  blocks  for  her 
keel  to  the  minute  when  she  let  her  anchor  go  where 
you  now  see  her.  The  great  Southern  Heiress, 
General  Grayson's  fine  daughter,  is  to  be  a  passen 
ger  ;  she,  and  her  overlooker,  Government-lady,  I 
believe  they  call  her — a  Mrs  Wyllys — are  waiting 
for  the  signal,  up  here,  at  the  residence  of  Madam 
de  Lacey ;  she  that  is  the  relict  of  the  Rear- Admi 
ral  of  that  name,  who  is  full-sister  to  the  General ; 
and,  therefore,  an  aunt  to  the  young  lady,  according 
to  my  reckoning.  Many  people  think  the  two  for 
tunes  will  go  together ;  in  which  case,  he  will  be 
not  only  a  lucky  man,  but  a  rich  one,  who  gets  Miss 
Getty  Grayson  for  a  wife." 

The  stranger,  who  had  maintained  rather  an  indif 
ferent  manner  during  the  close'  of  the  foregoing  dia 
logue,  appeared  now  disposed  to  enter  into  it,  with 
a  degree  of  interest  suited  to  the  sex  and  condition 
of  the  present  subject  of  their  discourse.  After  wait 
ing  to  catch  the  last  syllable  that  the  publican  chose 
to  expend  his  breath  on,  he  demanded,  a  little  ab 
ruptly,— 

"  Arid  you  say  the  house  near  us,  on  the  rising 
ground,  is  the  residence  of  Mrs  de  Lacey  ?" 

"  If  I  did,  I  know  nothing  of  the  matter.   By  '  up 
here,'  I  mean  half  a  mile  off.     It  is  a  place  fit  for  a 
lady  of  her  quality,  and  none  of  your  elbowy  dwell 
ings,  like  these  crowded  about  us.     One  may  easily 
L  9 


126  THE    RED    ROVER. 

tell  the  house,  by  its  pretty  blinds  and  its  shades.  I'll 
engage  there  are  no  such  shades,  in  all  Europe,  as 
them  very  trees  that  stand  before  the  door  of  Madam 
de  Lacey." 

"  It  is  very  probable,"  muttered  the  stranger, 
who,  not  appearing  quite  as  sensitive  in  his  provin 
cial  admiration  as  the  publican,  had  already  relaps 
ed  into  his  former  musing  air.  Instead  of  pushing 
the  discourse,  he  suddenly  turned  the  subject,  by 
making  some  common-place  remark ;  and  then, 
repeating  the  probability  of  his  being  obliged  to 
return,  he  walked  deliberately  away,  taking  the  di 
rection  of  the  residence  of  Mrs  de  Lacey.  The 
observing  publican  would,  probably,  have  found  suffi 
cient  matter  for  observation,  in  this  abrupt  termina 
tion  of  the  interview,  had  not  Desire,  at  that  pre 
cise  moment,  broken  out  of  her  habitation,  and 
diverted  his  attention,  by  the  peculiarly  piquant 
manner  in  which  she  delineated  the  character  of  her 
delinquent  husband. 

The  reader  has  probably,  ere  this,  suspected  that 
the  individual  who  had  conferred  with  the  publican, 
as  a  stranger,  was  not  unknown  to  himself.  It  was, 
in  truth,  no  other  than  Wilder.  But,  in  the  comple 
tion  of  his  own  secret  purposes,  the  young  mariner 
left  the  wordy  war  in  his  rear;  and,  turning  up  the 
gentle  ascent,  against  the  side  of  which  the  town  is 
built,  he  proceeded  towards  the  suburbs. 

It  was  not  difficult  to  distinguish  the  house  he 
sought,  among  a  dozen  other  similar  retreats,  by  its 
"  shades,"  as  the  innkeeper,  in  conformity  to  a  pro 
vincial  use  of  the  word,  had  termed  a  few  really 
.ioble  elms  that  grew  in  the  little  court  before  its 
door.  In  order,  however,  to  assure  himself  that  he 
was  right,  he  confirmed  his  surmises  by  actual  in 
quiry,  and  then  continued  thoughtfully  on  his  path. 

The  morning  had,  by  this  time,  fairly  opened, 
with  everv  appearance  of  another  of  those  fine, 


THE    RED    ROVER.  127 

bland,  autumnal  days  for  which  the  climate  is,  or 
ought  to  he,  so  distinguished.  The  little  air  there 
was,  came  from  the  south,  fanning  the  face  of  our  ad 
venturer,  as  he  occasionally  paused,  in  his  ascent,  to 
gaze  at  the  different  vessels  in  the  harbour,  like  a 
mild  breeze  in  June.  In  short,  it  was  just  such  a 
time  as  one,  who  is  fond  of  strolling  in  the  fields,  is 
apt  to  seize  on  with  rapture,  and  which  a  seaman 
sets  down  as  a  day  lost  in  his  reckoning. 

Wilder  was  first  drawn  from  his  musings  by  the 
sound  of  a  dialogue  that  came  from  persons  who 
were  evidently  approaching.  There  was  one  voice, 
in  particular,  that  caused  his  blood  to  thrill,  he  knew 
not  why,  and  which  appeared  unaccountably,  even 
to  himself,  to  set  in  motion  every  latent  faculty  of 
his  system.  Profiting,  by  the  formation  of  the  ground, 
he  sprang,  unseen,  up  a  little  bank,  and,  approach 
ing  an  angle  in  a  low  wall,  he  found  himself  in  the 
immediate  proximity  of  the  speakers. 

The  wall  enclosed  the  garden  and  pleasure- 
grounds  of  a  mansion,  that  he  now  perceived  was 
the  residence  of  Mrs  de  Lacey.  A  rustic  summer- 
house,  which,  in  the  proper  season,  had  been  nearly 
buried  in  leaves  and  flowers,  stood  at  no  great  dis 
tance  from  the  road.  By  its  elevation  and  position, 
it  commanded  a  view  of  the  town,  the  harbour,  the 
isles  of  Massachusetts  to  the  east,  those  of  the  Provi 
dence  Plantations  to  the  west,  and,  to  the  south,  an 
illimitable  expanse  of  ocean.  As  it  had  now  lost  its 
leafy  covering,  there  was  no  difficulty  in  looking  di 
rectly  into  its  centre,  through  the  rude  pillars  which 
supported  its  little  dome.  Here  Wilder  discovered 
precisely  the  very  party  to  whose  conversation  he 
had  been  a  listener  the  previous  day,  while  caged, 
with  the  Rover,  in  the  loft  of  the  ruin.  Though  the 
Admiral's  widow  and  Mrs  Wyllys  were  most  in  ad 
vance,  evidently  addressing  some  one  who  was,  like 
himself,  in  the  public  road,  the  quick  eye  of  the 


128  THE    RED    ROVER. 

young  sailor  soon  detected  the  more  enticing  person 
of  the  blooming  Gertrude,  in  the  back-ground.  His 
observations  were,  however,  interrupted  by  a  reply 
from  the  individual  who  as  yet  was  unseen.  Direct 
ed  by  the  voice,  Wilder  was  next  enabled  to  perceive 
the  person  of  a  man  in  a  green  old  age,  who,  seated 
on  a  stone  by  the  way  side,  appeared  to  be  resting 
his  weary  limbs,  while  he  answered  to  some  inter 
rogations  from  the  summer-house.  Though  his  head 
was  white,  and  the  hand,  which  grasped  a  long 
walking-staff,  sometimes  trembled,  as  its  owner 
sought  additional  support  from  its  assistance,  there 
was  that  in  the  costume,  the  manner,  and  the  voice 
of  the  speaker,  which  furnished  sufficient  evidence 
of  his  having  once  been  a  veteran  of  the  sea. 

"  Lord !  your  Ladyship,  Ma'am,"  he  said,  in 
tones  that  were  getting  tremulous,  even  while  they 
retained  the  deep  characteristic  intonations  of  his 
profession,  "  we  old  sea-dogs  never  stop  to  look 
into  an  almanac,  to  see  which  way  the  wind  will 
come  after  the  next  thaw,  before  we  put  to  sea. 
It  is  enough  for  us,  that  the  sailing  orders  are 
aboard,  and  that  the  Captain  has  taken  leave  of  his 
Lady." 

"  Ah !  the  very  words  of  the  poor  lamented  Ad 
miral  !"  exclaimed  Mrs  de  Lacey,  who  evidently 
found  great  satisfaction  in  pursuing  the  discourse 
with  this  superannuated  mariner.  "  And  then  you 
are  of  opinion,  honest  friend,  that,  when  a  ship  is 
ready,  she  should  sail,  whether  the  wind  is" 

"  Here  is  another  follower  of  the  sea,  opportunely 
come  to  lend  us  his  advice,"  interrupted  Gertrude, 
with  a  hurried  air,  as  if  to  divert  the  attention  of  her 
aunt  from  something  very  like  a  dogmatical  termina 
tion  of  an  argument  that  had  just  occurred  between 
her  and  Mrs  Wyllys  ;  "  perhaps  to  serve  as  an  um 
pire." 

"  True, '  said  the  latter.     "  Pray,  what  think  you 


THE    RED    ROVER.  129 

of  the  weather  to-day,  sir  ?  would  it  be  profitable  to 
sail  in  such  a  time,  or  not?" 

The  young  mariner  reluctantly  withdrew  his  eyes 
from  the  blushing  Gertrude,  who,  in  her  eagerness  to 
point  him  out,  had  advanced  to  the  front,  and  was 
now  shrinking  back,  timidly,  to  the  centre  of  the 
building  again,  like  one  who  already  repented  of  her 
temerity.  He  then  fastened  his  look  on  her  who 
put  the  question ;  and  so  long  and  riveted  was  his 
gaze,  that  she  saw  fit  to  repeat  it,  believing  that 
what  she  had  first  said  was  not  properly  understood. 

"  There  is  little  faith  to  be  put  in  the  weather, 
Madam,"  was  the  dilatory  reply.  "  A  man  has  fol 
lowed  the  sea  to  but  little  purpose  who  is  tardy  in 
making  that  discovery." 

There  was  something  so  sweet  and  gentle,  at  the 
same  time  that  it  was  manly,  in  the  voice  of  Wilder, 
that  the  ladies,  by  a  common  impulse,  seemed  struck 
with  its  peculiarities.  The  neatness  of  his  attire, 
which,  while  it  was  strictly  professional,  was  worn 
with  an  air  of  smartness,  and  even  of  gentility,  that 
rendered  it  difficult  to  suppose  that  he  was  not  en 
titled  to  lay  claim  to  a  higher  station  in  society  than 
that  in  which  he  actually  appeared,  added  to  this 
impression.  Bending  her  head,  with  a  manner  that 
was  intended  to  be  polite,  a  little  more  perhaps  in 
self-respect  than  out  of  consideration  to  the  other, 
as  if  in  deference  to  the  equivocal  character  of  his 
appearance,  Mrs  de  Lacey  resumed  the  discourse. 

"  These  ladies,"  she  said,  "  are  about  to  embark  in 
yonder  ship,  for  the  province  of  Carolina,  and  we 
were  consulting  concerning  the  quarter  in  which  the 
wind  will  probably  blow  next.  But,  in  such  a  vessel, 
it  cannot  matter  much,  I  should  think,  sir,  whether 
the  wind  were  fair  or  foul." 

"  1  think  not,"  was  the  reply.  "  She  looks  to  me 
like  a  ship  that  will  not  do  much,  let  the  wind  be  a? 
t  may." 


130  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  She  has  the  reputation  of  being  a  very  fast  sail 
er. — Reputation  !  we  know  she  is  such,  having  come 
from  home  to  the  Colonies  in  the  incredibly  short 
passage  of  seven  weeks !  But  seamen  have  their 
favourites  and  prejudices,  I  believe,  like  us  poor 
mortals  ashore.  You  will  therefore  excuse  me,  if 
I  ask  this  honest  veteran  for  an  opinion  on  this  par 
ticular  point  also.  What  do  you  imagine,  friend,  to 
be  the  sailing  qualities  of  yonder  ship — she  with  the 
peculiarly  high  top-gallant-booms,  and  such  conspic 
uous  round-tops  ?" 

The  lip  of  Wilder  curled,  and  a  smile  struggled 
with  the  gravity  of  his  countenance ;  but  he  contin 
ued  silent.  On  the  other  hand,  the  old  mariner  arose, 
and  appeared  to  examine  the  ship,  like  one  who  per 
fectly  comprehended  the  technical  language  of  the 
Admiral's  widow. 

44  The  ship  in  the  inner  harbour,  your  Ladyship," 
he  answered,  when  his  examination  was  finished, 
44  which  is,  I  suppose,  the  vessel  that  Madam  means, 
is  just  such  a  ship  as  does  a  sailor's  eye  good  to  look 
on.  A  gallant  and  a  safe  boat  she  is,  as  I  will  swear ; 
and  as  to  sailing,  though  she  may  not  be  altogether 
a  witch,  yet  is  she  a  fast  craft,  or  I'm  no  judge  of 
blue  water,  or  of  those  that  live  on  it." 

44  Here  is  at  once  a  difference  of  opinion !"  ex 
claimed  Mrs  de  Lacey.  44 1  am  glad,  however,  you 
pronounce  her  safe ;  for,  although  seamen  love  a 
fast-sailing  vessel,  these  ladies  will  not  like  her  the 
less  for  the  security.  I  presume,  sir,  you  will  not 
dispute  her  being  safe" 

44  The  very  quality  I  should  most  deny,"  was  the 
laconic  answer  of  Wilder. 

44  It  is  remarkable  !  This  is  a  veteran  seaman,  sir, 
and  he  appears  to  think  differently." 

44  He  may  have  seen  more,  in  his  time,  than  my 
self,  IV^adam  ;  but  I  doubt  whether  he  can,  just  now 
see  as  well.  This  is  something  of  a  distance  to  dia- 


THE    RED    KOVER.  131 

cover  the  merits  or  demerits  of  a  ship  :  I  have  been 
nigher." 

u  Then  you  really  think  there  is  danger  to  be  ap 
prehended,  sir  ?"  demanded  the  soft  voice  of  Ger 
trude,  whose  fears  had  gotten  the  better  of  her  diffi 
dence. 

"  I  do.  Had  1  mother,  or  sister,"  touching  his 
hat,  and  bowing  to  his  fair  interrogator,  as  he  utter 
ed  the  latter  word  with  much  emphasis,  "  I  would 
hesitate  to  let  her  embark  in  that  ship.  On  my  hon 
our,  Ladies,  I  do  assure  you,  that  I  think  this  very 
vessel  in  more  danger  than  any  ship  which  has  left, 
or  probably  will  leave,  a  port  in  the  Provinces  this 
autumn." 

"  This  is  extraordinary !"  observed  Mrs  Wyllys. 
u  It  is  not  the  character  we  have  received  of  the 
vessel,  which  has  been  greatly  exaggerated,  or  she  is 
entitled  to  be  considered  as  uncommonly  convenient 
and  safe.  May  I  ask,  sir,  on  what  circumstances  you 
have  founded  this  opinion  ?" 

"  They  are  sufficiently  plain.  She  is  too  lean  in 
the  harping,  and  too  full  in  the  counter,  to  steer. 
Then,  she  is  as  wall-sided  as  a  church,  and  stows 
too  much  above  the  water-line.  Besides  this,  she 
carries  no  head-sail,  but  all  the  press  upon  her  will 
be  aft,  which  will  jam  her  into  the  wind,  and,  more 
than  likely,  throw  her  aback.  The  day  will  come 
when  that  ship  will  go  down  stern  foremost." 

His  auditors  listened  to  this  opinion,  which 
Wilder  delivered  in  an  oracular  and  very  decided 
manner,  with  that  sort  of  secret  faith,  and  hum 
ble  dependance,  which  the  uninstructed  are  so  apt 
to  lend  to  the  initiated  in  the  mysteries  of  any  im 
posing  profession.  Neither  of  them  had  certainly  a 
very  clear  perception  of  his  meaning;  but  there 
were,  apparently,  danger  and  death  in  his  very 
words.  Mrs  de  La  :ey  felt  it  incumbent  on  her  pecu 


132  THE    RED    ROVER 

liar  advantages,  however,  to  manifest  how  well  she 
comprehended  the  subject. 

"  These  are  certainly  very  serious  evils !"  she 
exclaimed.  "  It  is  quite  unaccountable  that  my 
agent  should  have  neglected  to  mention  them.  Is 
there  any  other  particular  quality,  sir,  that  strikes 
your  eye  at  this  distance,  and  which  you  deem  alarm- 
ing?" 

"  Too  many.  You  observe  that  her  top-gallant- 
masts  are  fidded  abaft ;  none  of  her  lofty  sails  set 
flying ;  and  then,  Madam,  she  has  depended  on  bob- 
stays  and  gammonings  for  the  security  of  that  very 
important  part  of  a  vessel,  the  bowsprit." 

"  Too  true  !  too  true  !"  said  Mrs  de  Lacey,  in  a 
sort  of  professional  horror.  "  These  things  had  es 
caped  me ;  but  I  see  them  all,  now  they  are  men 
tioned.  Such  neglect  is  highly  culpable  ;  more  es 
pecially  to  rely  on  bobstays  and  gammonings  for  the 
security  of  a  bowsprit !  Really,  Mrs  Wyllys,  I  can 
never  consent  that  my  niece  should  embark  in  such 
a  vessel." 

The  calm,  penetrating  eye  of  Wyllys  had  been 
riveted  on  the  countenance  of  Wilder  while  he  was 
speaking,  and  she  now  turned  it,  with  undisturbed 
serenity,  on  the  Admiral's  widow,  to  reply. 

"  Perhaps  the  danger  has  been  a  little  magnified," 
she  observed.  "  Let  us  inquire  of  this  other  seaman 
what  he  thinks  on  these  several  points. — And  do  you 
see  all  these  serious  dangers  to  be  apprehended, 
friend,  in  trusting  ourselves,  at  this  season  of  the 
year,  in  a  passage  to  the  Carolinas,  aboard  of  yonder 
ship  ?" 

"  Lord,  Madam  !"  said  the  gray-headed  mariner, 
with  a  chuckling  laugh,  "  these  are  new-fashioned 
faults  and  difficulties,  if  they  be  faults  and  difficul 
ties  at  all !     In  my  time,  such  matters  were  nevei 
heard  of;  and  I  confess  I  am  so  stupid  as  not  to  un, 


THE    RED   ROVER.  133 

derstand  the  half  the  young  gentleman  has  been 
saying." 

"  It  is  some  time,  I  fancy,  old  man,  since  you  were 
last  at  sea,"  Wilder  coolly  observed 

"  Some  five  or  six  years  since  the  last  time,  and 
fifty  since  the  first,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Then  you  do  not  see  the  same  causes  for  ap 
prehension  ?"  Mrs  Wyllys  once  more  demanded. 

"  Old  and  worn  out  as  I  am,  Lady,  if  her  Captain 
will  give  me  a  birth  aboard  her,  I  will  thank  him 
for  the  same  as  a  favour." 

"  Misery  seeks  any  relief,"  said  Mrs  de  Lacey,  in 
an  under  tone,  and  bestowing  on  her  companions  a 
significant  glance.  "  I  incline  to  the  opinion  of  the 
younger  seaman ;  for  he  supports  it  with  substantial, 
professional  reasons." 

Mrs  Wyllys  suspended  her  questions,  just  as  long 
as  complaisance  to  the  last  speaker  seemed  to  re 
quire  ;  and  then  she  resumed  them  as  follows,  ad 
dressing  her  next  inquiry  to  Wilder. 

"  And  how  do  you  explain  this  difference  in  judg 
ment,  between  two  men  who  ought  both  to  be  so 
well  qualified  to  decide  right  ?" 

"  I  believe  there  is  a  well-known  proverb  which 
will  answer  that  question,"  returned  the  young  man, 
smiling :  "  But  some  allowance  must  be  made  for  the 
improvements  in  ships ;  and,  perhaps,  some  little 
deference  to  the  stations  we  have  respectively  filled 
on  board  them." 

"Both  very  true.  Still,  one  would  think  the 
changes  of  half  a  dozen  years  cannot  be  so  very 
considerable,  in  a  profession  that  is  so  exceedingly 
ancient." 

"  Your  pardon,  Madam.  They  require  constant 
practice  to  know  them.  Now,  I  dare  say  that  yonder 
worthy  old  tar  is  ignorant  of  the  manner  in  which  a 
ship,  when  pressed  by  her  canvas,  is  made  to  l  cut 
the  waves  with  her  taffrail.' " 

M 


134  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  Impossible  !"  cried  the  Admiral's  widow  ;  "the 
youngest  and  the  meanest  mariner  must  have  been 
struck  with  the  beauty  of  such  a  spectacle." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  returned  the  old  tar,  who  wore  the 
air  of  an  offended  man,  and  who,  probably,  had  he 
been  ignorant  of  any  part  of  his  art,  was  not  just 
then  in  the  temper  to  confess  it ;  "  many  is  the  proud 
ship  that  I  have  seen  doing  the  very  same ;  and,  as 
the  lady  says,  a  grand  and  comely  sight  it  is  !" 

Wilder  appeared  confounded.  He  bit  his  lip,  like 
one  who  was  over-reached  either  by  excessive  igno 
rance  or  exceeding  cunning;  but  the  self-compla 
cency  of  Mrs  de  Lacey  spared  him  the  necessity  of 
an  immediate  reply. 

"  It  would  have  been  an  extraordinary  circum 
stance,  truly,"  she  said,  "  that  a  man  should  have 
grown  white-headed  on  the  seas,  and  never  have 
been  struck  with  so  noble  a  spectacle.  But  then, 
my  honest  tar,  you  appear  to  be  wrong  in  overlook 
ing  the  striking  faults  in  yonder  ship,-which  this,  a — 
a — this  gentleman  has  just,  and  so  properly,  named." 

"  I  do  not  call  them  faults,  your  Ladyship.  Such 
is  the  way  my  late  brave  and  excellent  Commander 
always  had  his  own  ship  rigged ;  and  I  am  bold  to 
say  that  a  better  seaman,  or  a  more  honest  man, 
never  served  in  his  Majesty's  fleet." 

"  And  you  have  served  the  King !  How  was  your 
beloved  Commander  named?" 

"  How  should  he  be !  By  us,  who  knew  him  well, 
ne  was  called  Fair-weather;  for  it  was  always 
smooth  water,  and  prosperous  times,  under  his  or 
ders  ;  though,  on  shore,  he  was  known  as  the  gallant 
and  victorious  Rear-Admiral  de  Lacey." 

"  And  did  my  late  revered  and  skilful  husband 
cause  his  ships  to  be  rigged  in  this  manner?"  said 
the  widow,  with  a  tremour  in  her  voice,  that  bespoke 
how  much,  and  how  truly,  she  was  overcome  by  sur 
prise  and  gratified  pride 


THE    RED    ROVER.  135 

The  aged  tar  lifted  his  bending  frame  from  the 
stone,  and  bowed  low,  as  he  answered, — 

"  If  I  have  the  honour  of  seeing  my  Admiral's 
Lady,  it  will  prove  a  joyful  sight  to  my  old  eyes. 
Sixteen  years  did  I  serve  in  his  own  ship,  and  five 
more  in  the  same  squadron.  I  dare  say  your  Lady 
ship  may  have  heard  him  speak  of  the  captain  of  his 
main-top,  Bob  Bunt." 

"  I  dare  say — I  dare  say — He  loved  to  talk  of  ' 
those  who  served  him  faithfully." 

"  Ay,  God  bless  him,  and  make  his  memory  glori 
ous !  He  was  a  kind  officer,  and  one  that  never  for 
got  a  friend,  let  it  be  that  his  duty  kept  him  on  a 
yard  or  in  the  cabin.  He  was  the  sailor's  friend, 
that  very  same  Admiral !" 

"This  is  a  grateful  man,"  said  Mrs  de  Lacey, 
wiping  her  eyes,  "  and  I  dare  say  a  competent  judge 
of  a  vessel.  And  are  you  quite  sure,  worthy  friend, 
that  my  late  revered  husband  had  all  his  ships  ar 
ranged  like  the  one  of  which  we  have  been  talking?" 

"  Vory  sure,  Madam ;  for,  with  my  own  hands, 
did  I  assist  to  rig  them." 

"  Even  to  the  bobstays  ?" 

"  And  the  gammonings,  my  Lady.  Were  the  Ad 
miral  alive,  and  here,  he  would  call  yon  c  a  safe  and 
well-fitted  ship,'  as  I  am  ready  to  swear." 

Mrs  de  Lacey  turned,  with  an  air  of  great  dignity 
and  entire  decision,  to  Wilder,  as  she  continued, — 

"  I  have,  then,  made  a  small  mistake  in  memory 
which  is  not  surprising,  when  one  recollects,  that  he 
who  taught  me  so  much  of  the  profession  is  no  long 
er  here  to  continue  his  lessons.  We  are  much  oblig 
ed  to  you,  sir,  for  your  opinion ;  but  we  must  think 
that  you  have  over-rated  the  danger." 

"  On  my  honour,  Madam,"  interrupted  Wilder, 
laying  his  hand  on  his  heart,  and  speaking  with  sin 
gular  emphasis,  "  I  am  sincere  in  what  I  say.  I  do 
aftirm,  that  I  believe  there  will  be  great  danger  in 


136  THE    RED    ROVER. 

embarking  in  yonder  ship ;  and  I  call  Heaven  to  wit 
ness,  that,  in  so  saying,  I  am  actuated  by  no  malice 
to  her  Commander,  her  owners,  nor  any  connected 
with  her." 

"  We  dare  say,  sir,  you  are  very  sincere :  We  only 
think  you  a  little  in  error,"  returned  the  Admiral's 
widow,  with  a  commiserating,  and  what  she  intend 
ed  for  a  condescending,  smile.  "  We  are  your  debtors 
for  your  good  intentions,  at  least.  Come,  worthy 
veteran,  we  must  not  part  here.  You  will  gain  ad 
mission  by  knocking  at  my  door ;  and  we  shall  talk 
further  of  these  matters." 

Then,  bowing  to  Wilder,  she  led  the  way  up  the 
garden,  followed  by  all  her  companions.  The  step 
of  Mrs  de  Lacey  was  proud,  like  the  tread  of  one 
conscious  of  all  her  advantages;  while  that  of 
Wyllys  was  slow,  as  if  she  were  buried  in  thought. 
Gertrude  kept  close  to  the  side  of  the  latter,  with 
her  face  hid  beneath  the  shade  of  a  gipsy  hat.  Wil 
der  fancied  that  he  could  discover  the  stolen  and  anx 
ious  glance  that  she  threw  back  towards  one  who 
had  excited  a  decided  emotion  in  her  sensitive  bo 
som,  though  it  was  a  feeling  no  more  attractive  thai/ 
alarm.  He  lingered  until  they  were  lost  amid  the 
shrubbery.  Then,  turning  to  pour  out  his  disap 
pointment  on  his  brother  tar,  he  found  that  the  old 
man  had  made  such  good  use  of  his  time,  as  to  be 
entering  the  gate,  most  probably  felicitating  himself 
on  the  prospect  of  reaping  the  reward  of  his  recent 
adulation. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  137 

CHAPTER  IX. 

"  He  ran  this  way,  and  leap'd  this  orchard  wall." — Shdkspeare. 

WILDER  retired  from  the  field  like  a  defeated  man. 
Accident,  or,  as  he  was  willing  to  term  it,  the  syco 
phancy  of  the  old  mariner,  had  counteracted  his 
own  little  artifice ;  and  he  was  now  left  without  the 
remotest  chance  of  being  again  favoured  with  such 
another  opportunity  of  effecting  his  purpose.  We 
shall  not,  at  this  period  of  the  narrative,  enter  into 
a  detail  of  the  feelings  and  policy  which  induced 
our  adventurer  to  plot  against  the  apparent  interests 
of  those  with  whom  he  had  so  recently  associated 
himself;  it  is  enough,  for  our  present  object,  that 
the  facts  themselves  should  be  distinctly  set  before 
the  reader. 

The  return  of  the  disappointed  young  sailor,  to 
wards  the  town,  was  moody  and  slow.  More  than 
once  he  stopped  short  in  the  descent,  and  fastened 
his  eyes,  for  minutes  together,  on  the  different  ves 
sels  in  the  harbour.  But,  in  these  frequent  halts,  no 
evidence  of  the  particular  interest  he  took  in  any 
one  of  the  ships  escaped  him.  Perhaps  his  gaze  at 
the  Southern  trader  was  longer,  and  more  earnest, 
than  at  any  other;  though  his  eye,  at  times,  wander 
ed  curiously,  and  even  anxiously,  over  every  craft 
that  lay  within  the  shelter  of  the  haven. 

The  customary  hour  for  exertion  had  now  arrived, 
and  the  sounds  of  labour  were  beginning  to  be  heard, 
issuing  from  every  quarter  of  the  place.  The  songs 
of  the  mariners  were  rising  on  the  calm  of  the  morn 
ing,  with  their  peculiar,  long-drawn  intonations. 
The  ship  in  the  inner  harbour  was  among  the  first  to 
furnish  this  proof  of  the  industry  of  her  people,  and 
of  her  approaching  departure.  It  was  only  as  these 
M  2 


138  THE    RED    ROVER. 

movements  caught  his  eye,  that  Wilder  seemed  to  be 
thoroughly  awaketied  from  his  abstraction,  and  to 
pursue  his  observations  with  an  undivided  mind. 
He  saw  the  seamen  ascend  the  rigging,  in  that  lazy 
manner  which  is  so  strongly  contrasted  by  their  ac 
tivity  in  moments  of  need ;  and  here  and  there  a 
human  form  was  showing  itself  on  the  black  arid 
ponderous  yards.  In  a  few  moments,  the  fore-top 
sail  fell,  from  its  compact  compass  on  the  yard,  into 
graceful  and  careless  festoons.  This,  the  attentive 
Wilder  well  knew,  was,  among  all  trading  vessels, 
the  signal  of  sailing.  In  a  few  more  minutes,  the 
lower  angles  of  this  important  sail  were  drawn  to 
the  extremities  of  the  corresponding  spar  beneath; 
and  then  the  heavy  yard  was  seen  slowly  ascending 
the  mast,  dragging  after  it  the  opening  folds  of  the 
sail,  until  the  latter  was  tightened  at  all  its  edges, 
and  displayed  itself  in  one  broad,  snow-white  sheet 
of  canvas.  Against  this  wide  surface  the  light  cur 
rents  of  air  fell,  and  as  often  receded ;  the  sail  bel 
lying  and  collapsing  in  a  manner  to  show  that,  as 
yet,  they  were  powerless.  At  this  point  the  prep 
arations  appeared  suspended,  as  if  the  mariners, 
having  thus  invited  the  breeze,  were  awaiting  to  see 
if  their  invocation  was  likely  to  be  attended  with 
success. 

It  was  perhaps  but  a  natural  transition  for  him, 
who  so  closely  observed  these  indications  of  depart 
ure,  in  the  ship  so  often  named,  to  turn  his  eyes  on  the 
vessel  which  lay  without  the  fort,  in  order  to  witness 
the  effect  so  manifest  a  signal  had  produced  in  her, 
also.  But  the  closest  and  the  keenest  scrutiny  could 
have  detected  no  sign  of  any  bond  of  interest  be 
tween  the  two.  While  the  former  was  making  the 
movements  just  described,  the  latter  lay  at  her  an 
chors,  without  the  smallest  proof  that  man  existed 
within  the  mass  of  her  black  and  inanimate  hull.  So 
quiet  and  motionless  did  she  seem,  that  one,  who  had 


THE   RED   ROVER.  139 

never  been  instructed  in  the  matter,  might  readily 
have  believed  her  a  fixture  in  the  sea,  some  symme 
trical  and  enormous  excrescence  thrown  up  by  the 
waves,  with  its  mazes  of  lines  and  pointed  fingers, 
or  one  of  those  fantastic  monsters  that  are  believed 
to  exist  in  the  bottom  of  the  ocean,  darkened  by  the 
fogs  and  tempests  of  ages.  But,  to  the  understand 
ing  eye  of  Wilder,  she  exhibited  a  very  different 
spectacle.  He  easily  saw,  through  all  this  apparently 
drowsy  quietude,  those  signs  of  readiness  which  a 
seaman  only  might  discover.  The  cable,  instead  of 
stretching  in  a  long  declining  line  towards  the  wa 
ter,  was  "  short,"  or  nearly  "  up  and  down,"  as  it 
is  equally  termed  in  technical  language,  just  "scope" 
enough  being  allowed  out-board  to  resist  the  power 
of  the  lively  tide,  which  acted  on  the  deep  keel  of 
the  vessel.  All  her  boats  were  in  the  water,  and  so 
disposed  and  prepared,  as  to  convince  him  they  were 
in  a  state  to  be  employed  in  towing,  in  the  shortest 
possible  time.  Not  a  sail,  nor  a  yard,  was  out  of  its 
place,  undergoing  those  repairs  and  examinations 
which  the  mariner  is  wont  to  make  so  often,  when 
lying  within  the  security  of  a  suitable  haven ,  nor 
was  there  a  single  rope  wanting,  amid  the  hundreds 
which  interlaced  the  blue  sky  that  formed  the  back 
ground  of  the  picture,  that  might  be  necessary,  in 
bringing  every  art  of  facilitating  motion  into  instant 
use.  In  short,  the  vessel,  while  seeming  least  pre 
pared,  was  most  in  a  condition  to  move,  or,  if  neces 
sary,  to  resort  to  her  means  of  offence  and  defence. 
The  boarding-nettings,  it  is  true,  were  triced  to  the 
rigging,  as  on  the  previous  day;  but  a  sufficient  apol 
ogy  was  to  be  found  for  this  act  of  extreme  caution, 
in  the  war,  which  exposed  her  to  attacks  from  the 
light  French  cruisers,  that  so  often  ranged,  from  the 
islands  of  the  West-Indies,  along  the  whole  coast  of 
the  Continent,  and  in  the  position  the  ship  had  taken, 
without  the  ordinary  defences  of  the  harbour  In 


140  THE    RED    ROVER. 

this  state,  the  vessel,  to  one  who  knew  her  real  char 
acter,  appeared  like  some  beast  of  prey,  or  venomous 
reptile,  that  lay  in  an  assumed  lethargy,  to  delude 
the  unconscious  victim  within  the  limits  of  its  leap, 
or  nigh  enough  to  receive  the  deadly  blow  of  its 
fangs. 

Wilder  shook  his  head,  in  a  manner  which  said 
plainly  enough  how  well  he  understood  this  treach 
erous  tranquillity^  and  continued  his  walk  towards  the 
town,  with  the  same  deliberate  step  as  before.  He 
had  whiled  away  many  minutes  unconsciously,  and 
would  probably  have  lost  the  reckoning  of  as  many 
more,  had  not  his  attention  been  suddenly  diverted 
by  a  slight  touch  on  the  shoulder.  Starting  at  this 
unexpected  diversion,  he  turned,  and  saw,  that,  in  his 
dilatory  progress,  he  had  been  overtaken  by  the  sea 
man  whom  he  had  last  seen  in  that  very  society  ir 
which  he  would  have  given  so  much  to  have  beer 
included  himself. 

"  Your  young  limbs  should  carry  you  ahead,  Mas 
ter,"  said  the  latter,  when  he  had  succeeded  in  at 
tracting  the  attention  of  Wilder,  "  like  a  'Mudian 
going  with  a  clean  full,  and  yet  I  have  fore-reached 
upon  you  with  my  old  legs,  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
bring  us  again  within  hail." 

"  Perhaps  you  enjoy  the  extraordinary  advantage 
of  '  cutting  the  waves  with  your  taffrail,' "  returned 
Wilder,  with  a  sneer.  "  There  can  be  no  account 
ing  for  the  head-way  one  makes,  when  sailing  in  that 
remarkable  manner." 

"I  see,  brother,  you  are  offended  that  I  follow 
ed  your  motions,  though,  in  so  doing,  I  did  no  more 
than  obey  a  signal  of  your  own  setting.  Did  you 
expect  an  old  sea-dog  like  me,  who  has  stood  his 
watch  so  long  in  a  flag-ship,  to  confess  ignorance  in 
any  matter  that  of  right  belongs  to  blue  water  ?  How 
the  devil  was  I  to  know  that  there  is  not  some 
sort  of  craft,  among  the  thousands  that  are  getting 


THE    RED    ROVER.  141 

into  fashion,  which  sails  best  stern  foremost  ?  They 
say  a  ship  is  modelled  from  a  fish ;  and,  if  such  be 
the  case,  it  is  only  to  make  one  after  the  fashion  of 
a  crab,  or  an  oyster,  to  have  the  very  thing  you 
named." 

"  It  is  well,  old  man.  You  have  had  your  re 
ward,  I  suppose,  in  a  handsome  present  from  the 
Admiral's  widow,  and  you  may  now  lie-by  for  a 
season,  without  caring  much  as  to  the  manner  in 
which  they  build  their  ships  in  future.  Pray,  do 
you  intend  to  shape  your  course  much  further  down 
this  hill  ?" 

«  Until  I  get  to  the  bottom." 

"  I  am  glad  of  it,  friend,  for  it  is  my  especial  in 
tention  to  go  up  it  again.  As  we  say  at  sea,  when 
our  conversation  is  ended, '  A  good  time  to  you!' '' 

The  old  seaman  laughed,  in  his  chuckling  manner, 
when  he  saw  the  young  man  turn  abruptly  on  his 
heel,  and  begin  to  retrace  the  very  ground  along 
which  he  had  just  before  descended. 

"  Ah  !  you  nave  never  sailed  with  a  Rear-Admi 
ral,"  he  said,  as  he  continued  his  own  course  in  the 
former  direction,  picking  his  way  with  a  care  suited 
to  his  age  and  infirmities.  "  No,  there  is  no  getting 
the  finish,  even  at  sea,  without  a  cruise  or  two  un 
der  a  flag,  and  that  at  the  mizzen,  too  !" 

"  Intolerable  old  hypocrite  !"  muttered  Wilder  be 
tween  his  teeth.  "  The  rascal  has  seen  better 
days,  and  is  now  perverting  his  knowledge  to  juggle 
a  foolish  woman,  to  his  profit.  I  am  well  quit  of  the 
knave,  who,  I  dare  say,  has  adopted  lying  for  his 
trade,  now  labour  is  unproductive.  I  will  go  back. 
The  coast  is  quite  clear,  and  who  can  say  what  may 
happen  next?" 

Most  of  the  foregoing  paragraph  was  actually  ut 
tered  in  the  suppressed  manner  already  described, 
while  the  rest  was  merely  meditated,  which,  consid 
ering  the  fact  that  our  adventurer  had  no  auditor 


142  THE   RED   ROVER. 

was  quite  as  well  as  if  he  had  spoken  it  through  a 
trumpet.  The  expectation  thus  vaguely  expressed, 
however,  was  not  likely  to  be  soon  realized.  Wilder 
sauntered  up  the  hill,  endeavouring  to  assume  the 
unconcerned  air  of  an  idler,  if  by  chance  his  return 
should  excite  attention;  but,  though  he  lingered 
long  in  open  view  of  the  windows  of  Mrs  de  Lacey's 
villa,  he  was  not  able  to  catch  another  glimpse  of 
its  tenants.  There  were  very  evident  symptoms  of 
the  approaching  journey,  in  the  trunks  and  packages 
that  left  the  building  for  the  town,  and  in  the  hur 
ried  and  busy  manner  of  the  few  servants  that  he 
occasionally  saw ;  but  it  would  seem  that  the  prin 
cipal  personages  of  the  establishment  had  withdrawn 
into  the  secret  recesses  of  the  building,  probably  for 
the  very  natural  purpose  of  confidential  communion 
and  affectionate  leave-taking.  He  was  turning, 
vexed  and  disappointed,  from  his  anxious  and  fruit 
less  watch,  when  he  once  more  heard  female  voices 
on  the  inner  side  of  the  low  wall  against  which  he 
had  been  leaning.  The  sounds  approached;  nor 
was  it  long  before  his  quick  ears  again  recognized 
the  musical  voice  of  Gertrude. 

"  It  is  tormenting  ourselves,  without  sufficient 
reason,  my  dear  Madam,"  she  said,  as  the  speakers 
drew  sufficiently  nigh  to  be  distinctly  overheard,  "  to 
allow  any  thing  that  may  have  fallen  from  such  a — 
such  an  individual,  to  make  the  slightest  impres 
sion." 

"  I  feel  the  justice  of  what  you  say,  my  love,'1 
returned  the  mournful  voice  of  her  governess,  "  and 
yet  am  I  so  weak  as  to  be  unable  entirely  to  shake 
off  a  sort  of  superstitious  feeling  on  this  subject. 
Gertrude,  would  you  not  wish  to  see  that  youth 
again  ?" 

"  Me,  Ma'am  !"  exclaimed  her  eleve,  in  a  sort  of 
alarm.  "  Why  should  you,  or  I,  wish  to  see  an 
utter  stranger  again?  and  one  so  low — not  low 


THE    RED    ROVER.  143 

perhaps — but  one  who  is  surely  not  altogether  a 
very  suitable  companion  for" — 

"  Well-born  ladies,  you  would  say.  And  why  do 
you  imagine  the  young  man  to  be  so  much  our  in 
ferior?" 

Wilder  thought  there  was  a  melody  in  the  intona 
tions  of  the  youthful  voice  of  the  maiden,  which  in 
some  measure  excused  the  personality,  as  she  an 
swered. 

"  "  I  am  certainly  not  so  fastidious  in  my  notions  of 
birth  and  station  as  aunt  de  Lacey,"  she  said, 
laughing ;  "  but  I  should  forget  some  of  your  own 
instructions,  dear  Mrs  Wyllys,  did  I  not  feel  that 
education  and  manners  make  a  sensible  difference 
in  the  opinions  and  characters  of  all  us  poor  mortals." 

"  Very  true,  my  child.  But  I  confess  I  saw  or 
heard  nothing  that  induces  me  to  believe  the  young 
man,  of  whom  we  are  speaking,  either  uneducated 
or  vulgar.  On  the  contrary,  his  language  and  pro 
nunciation  were  those  of  a  gentleman,  and  his  air 
was  quite  suited  to  his  utterance.  He  had  the  frank 
and  simple  manner  of  his  profession ;  but  you  are 
not  now  to  learn  that  youths  of  the  first  families  in 
the  provinces,  or  even  in  the  kingdom,  are  often 
placed  in  the  service  of  the  marine." 

"  But  they  are  officers,  dear  Madam  :  this — this 
individual  wore  the  dress  of  a  common  mariner." 

"  Not  altogether.  It  was  finer  in  its  quality,  and 
more  tasteful  in  its  fashion,  than  is  customary.  I 
have  known  Admirals  do  the  same  in  their  moments 
of  relaxation.  Sailors  of  condition  often  love  to 
carry  about  them  the  testimonials  of  their  profession, 
without  any  of  the  trappings  of  their  rank." 

"  You  then  think  he  was  an  officer — perhaps  in 
the  King's  service?" 

"  He  might  well  have  been  so,  though  the  fact, 
that  there  is  no  cruiser  in  the  port,  would  seem  to 
contradict  it.  But  it  was  not  so  trifling  a  circum 


144  THE   RED   ROVER. 

stance  that  awakened  the  unaccountable  interest 
that  I  feel.  Gertrude,  my  love,  it  was  my  fortune 
to  have  been  much  with  seamen  in  early  life.  I  sel 
dom  see  one  of  that  age,  and  of  that  spirited  and 
manly  mien,  without  feeling  emotion.  But  I  tire 
you  ;  let  us  talk  of  other  things." 

"  Not  in  the  least,  dear  Madam,"  Gertrude  hur 
riedly  interrupted.  "  Since  you  think  the  strange 
a  gentleman,  there  can  be  no  harm — that  is,  it  is  not 
quite  so  improper,  I  believe — to  speak  of  him.  Can 
there  then  be  the  danger  he  would  make  us  think  in 
trusting  ourselves  in  a  ship  of  which  we  have  so 
good  a  report  ?" 

"  There  was  a  strange,  I  had  almost  said  wild, 
admixture  of  irony  and  concern  in  his  manner,  that 
is  inexplicable !  He  certainly  uttered  nonsense  part 
of  the  time ;  but,  then,  he  did  not  appear  to  do  it 
without  a  serious  object.  Gertrude,  you  are  not  as 
familiar  with  nautical  expressions  as  myself;  and 
perhaps  you  are  ignorant  that  your  good  aunt,  in  her 
admiration  of  a  profession  that  she  has  certainly  a 
right  to  love,  sometimes  makes  " 

"  I  know  it — I  know  it ;  at  least  I  often  think  so," 
the  other  interrupted,  in  a  manner  which  plainly 
manifested  that  she  found  no  pleasure  in  dwelling  on 
the  disagreeable  subject.  "  ft  was  exceedingly  pre 
suming,  Madam,  in  a  stranger,  however,  to  amuse 
himself,  if  he  did  it,  with  so  amiable  and  so  trivial  a 
weakness,  if  indeed  weakness  it  be." 

"  It  was,"  Mrs  Wyllys  steadily  continued — she 
having,  very  evidently,  such  other  matter  in  her 
thoughts  as  to  be  a  little  inattentive  to  the  sensitive 
feelings  of  her  companion ; — "  and  yet  he  did  not 
appear  to  me  like  one  of  those  empty  minds  that  find 
a  pleasure  in  exposing  the  follies  of  others.  You 
may  remember,  Gertrude,  that  yesterday,  while  at 
the  ruin,  Mrs  de  Lacey  made  some  remarks  expres 
sive  of  her  admiration  of  a  ship  under  sail." 


THE   RED    ROVER.  145 

u  Yes,  yes,  I  remember  them,"  said  the  niece,  a 
little  impatiently. 

"  One  of  her  terms  was  particularly  incorrect,  as 
I  happened  to  know  from  my  own  familiarity  with 
the  language  of  sailors." 

"  I  thought  as  much,  by  the  expression  of  your 
eye,"  returned  Gertrude ;  "but" 

"  Listen,  my  love.  It  certainly  was  not  remarka 
ble  that  a  lady  should  make  a  trifling  error  in  the 
use  of  so  peculiar  a  language,  but  it  is  singular  that 
a  seaman  himself  should  commit  the  same  fault  in 
precisely  the  same  words.  This  did  the  youth  of 
whom  we  are  speaking;  and,  what  is  no  less  sur 
prising,  the  old  man  assented  to  the  same,  just  as  if 
they  had  been  correctly  uttered." 

"  Perhaps,"  said  Gertrude,  in  a  low  tone,  "  they 
may  have  heard,  that  attachment  to  this  description 
of  conversation  is  a  foible  of  Mrs  de  Lacey.  I  am 
sure,  after  this,  dear  Madam,  you  cannot  any  longer 
consider  the  stranger  a  gentleman!" 

"  I  should  think  no  more  about  it,  love,  were  it 
not  for  a  feeling  I  can  neither  account  for  nor  define. 
J  would  I  could  again  see  him  !" 

A  slight  exclamation  from  her  companion  inter 
rupted  her  words ;  and,  the  next  instant,  the  subject 
of  her  thoughts  leaped  the  wall,  apparently  in  quest 
of  the  rattan  that  had  fallen  at  the  feet  of  Gertrude, 
and  occasioned  her  alarm.  After  apologizing  for  his 
intrusion  on  the  private  grounds  of  Mrs  de  Lacey, 
and  recovering  his  lost  property,  Wilder  was  slowly 
preparing  to  retire,  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 
There  was  a  softness  and  delicacy  in  his  manner, 
daring  the  first  moment  of  his  appearance,  which 
was  probably  intended  to  convince  the  younger  of 
the  ladies  that  he  was  not  entirely  without  some 
claims  to  the  title  she  had  so  recently  denied  him, 
and  which  was  certainly  not  without  its  effect.  The 
countenance  of  Mrs  Wyllys  was  pale,  and  her  lip 


146  THE    RED   ROVER. 

quivered,  though  the  steadiness  of  her  voice  proved 
it  was  not  with  alarm,  as  she  hastily  said, — 

"  Remain  a  moment,  sir,  if  need  does  not  require 
your  presence  elsewhere.  There  is  something  so 
remarkable  in  this  meeting,  that  I  could  wish  to 
improve  it." 

Wilder  bowed,  and  again  faced  the  ladies,  whom 
lie  had  just  been  about  to  quit,  like  one  who  felt 
he  had  no  right  to  intrude  a  moment  longer  than  had 
been  necessary  to  recover  that  which  had  been  lost 
by  his  pretended  awkwardness.  When  Mrs  Wyllys 
found  that  her  wish  was  so  unexpectedly  realized, 
she  hesitated  as  to  the  manner  in  which  she  should 
next  proceed. 

"  I  have  been  thus  bold,  sir,"  she  said,  in  some 
embarrassment,  "  on  account  of  the  opinion  you  so 
lately  expressed  concerning  the  vessel  which  now 
lies  ready  to  put  to  sea,  the  in&tant  she  is  favoured 
with  a  wind." 

utThe  Royal  Caroline?'"  Wilder  carelessly 
replied. 

u  That  is  her  name,  I  believe." 

"  I  hope,  Madam,  that  nothing  which  I  have  said," 
he  hastily  continued,  "  will  have  an  effect  to  preju 
dice  you  against  the  ship.  I  will  pledge  myself  that 
she  is  made  of  excellent  materials,  and  then  I  have 
not  the  least  doubt  but  she  is  very  ably  commanded." 

"  And  yet  have  you  not  hesitated  to  say,  that  you 
consider  a  passage  in  this  very  vessel  more  danger 
ous  than  one  in  any  other  ship  that  will  probably 
leave  a  port  of  the  Provinces  in  many  months  to 
come." 

"  I  did,"  answered  W/lder,  with  a  manner  not  to 
be  mistaken. 

u  Will  you  explain  your  reasons  for  this  opinion?" 

"  If  I  remember  rightly,  I  gave  them  to  the  lady 
whom  I  had  the  honour  to  see  an  hour  ago." 

"  That  individual,  sir,  is  no  longer  here  *'  was  the 


THE   RED   ROVER.  147 

grave  reply  of  Wyllys  ;  "  neither  is  she  to  trust  her 
person  in  the  vessel.  This  young  lady  and  myself, 
with  our  attendants,  will  be  the  only  passengers." 

"  I  understood  it  so,"  returned  Wilder,  keeping 
his  thoughtful  gaze  riveted  on  the  speaking  counte 
nance  of  the  deeply  interested  Gertrude. 

"  And,  now  that  there  is  no  apprehension  of  any 
mistake,  may  I  ask  you  to  repeat  the  reasons  why 
you  think  there  will  be  danger  in  embarking  in  the 
4  Royal  Caroline  ?'  " 

Wilder  started,  and  even  had  the  grace  to  colour, 
as  he  met  the  calm  and  attentive  look  of  Mrs  Wyllys's 
searching,  but  placid  eye. 

"  You  would  not  have  me  repeat,  Madam,"  he 
stammered,"  what  I  have  already  said  on  the  subject?" 

"  I  would  not,  sir ;  once  will  suffice  for  such  an 
explanation ;  still  am  I  persuaded  you  have  other 
reasons  for  your  words." 

"  It  is  exceedingly  difficult  for  a  seaman  to  speak 
of  ships  in  any  other  than  technical  language,  which 
must  be  the  next  thing  to  being  unintelligible  to  one 
of  jour  sex  and  condition.  You  have  never  been  at 
sea,  Madam  ?" 

"  Very  often,  sir." 

"  Then  may  I  hope,  possibly,  to  make  myself 
understood.  You  must  be  conscious,  Madam,  that 
no  small  part  of  the  safety  of  a  ship  depends  on  the 
very  material  point  of  keeping  her  right  side  upper 
most  :  sailors  call  it  '  making  her  stand  up.'  Now, 
I  need  not  say,  I  am  quite  sure,  to  a  lady  of  your 
intelligence,  that,  if  the  'Caroline'  fall  on  her  beam, 
there  will  be  imminent  hazard  to  all  on  board." 

"  Nothing  can  be  clearer ;  but  would  not  the 
same  risk  be  incurred  in  any  other  vessel  ?" 

"  Without  doubt,  if  any  other  vessel  should  trip 
But  I  have  pursued  my  profession  for  many  years 
without  meeting  with  such  a  misfortune,  but  once 
Then,  the  fastenings  of  the  bowsprit" 


148  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  Are  good  as  ever  came  from  the  hand  of  rig 
ger,"  said  a  voice  behind  them. 

The  whole  party  turned ;  and  beheld,  at  a  little 
distance,  the  old  seaman  already  introduced, 
mounted  on  some  object  on  the  other  side  of  the 
wall,  against  which  he  was  very  coolly  leaning,  and 
whence  he  overlooked  the  whole  of  the  interior  of 
the  grounds. 

"  I  have  been  at  the  water  side  to  look  at  the  boat, 
at  the  wish  of  Madam  de  Lacey,  the  widow  of  my 
late  noble  Commander  and  Admiral ;  and,  let  other 
men  think  as  they  may,  I  am  ready  to  swear  that 
the  '  Royal  Caroline'  has  as  well  secured  a  bowsprit 
as  any  ship  that  carries  the  British  flag !  Ay,  nor  is 
that  all  I  will  say  in  her  favour ;  she  is  throughout 
neatly  and  lightly  sparred,  and  has  no  more  of  a 
wall-side  than  the  walls  of  yonder  church  tumble- 
home.  I  am  an  old  man,  and  my  reckoning  has  got 
to  the  last  leaf  of  the  log-book ;  therefore  it  is  little 
interest  that  1  have,  or  can  have,  in  this  brig  or  that 
schooner,  but  this  much  will  I  say,  which  is,  that  it 
is  just  as  wicked,  and  as  little  likely  to  be  forgiven, 
to  speak  scandal  of  a  wholesome  and  stout  ship,  as 
it  is  to  talk  amiss  of  mortal  Christian." 

The  old  man  spoke  with  energy,  and  a  great  show 
of  honest  indignation,  which  did  not  fail  to  make  an 
impression  on  the  ladies,  at  the  same  time  that  it 
brought  certain  ungrateful  admonitions  to  the  con 
science  of  the  understanding  Wilder. 

"  You  perceive,  sir,"  said  Mrs  Wyllys,  after  wait 
ing  in  vain  for  the  reply  of  the  young  seaman,  "that 
it  is  very  possible  for  two  men,  of  equal  advantages, 
to  disagree  on  a  professional  point.  Which  am  I  to 
believe?" 

"  Whichever  your  own  excellent  sense  should  tell 
you  is  most  likely  to  be  correct.  I  repeat,  and  in  a 
sincerity  to  whose  truth  I  call  Heaven  to  witness,  that 


THE   RED   ROVER.  149 

no  mother  or  sister  of  mine  should,  with  my  consent 
embark  in  the  l  Caroline.' " 

"  This  is  incomprehensible !"  said  Mrs  Wyllys 
turning  to  Gertrude,  and  speaking  only  for  her  ear 
"  My  reason  tells  me  we  have  been  trifled  with  by 
this  young  man;  and  yet  are  his  protestations  so 
earnest,  and  apparently  so  sincere,  that  I  cannot  shake 
off  the  impression  they  have  made.  To  which  of  the 
two,  my  love,  do  you  feel  most  inclined  to  yield  your 
credence  ?" 

"  You  know  how  very  ignorant  I  am,  dear  Madam, 
of  all  these  things,"  said  Gertrude,  dropping  her  eyes 
to  the  faded  sprig  she  was  plucking ;  "  but,  to  me, 
that  old  wretch  has  a  very  presuming  and  vicious 
look." 

"  You  then  think  the  younger  most  entitled  to  our 
belief?" 

"  Why  not ;  since  you,  also,  think  he  is  a  gentle 
man?" 

"  I  know  not  that  his  superior  situation  in  life  en 
titles  him  to  greater  credit.  Men  often  obtain  such 
advantages  only  to  abuse  them. — I  am  afraid,  sir," 
continued  Mrs  Wyllys,  turning  to  the  expecting 
Wilder,  "  that  unless  you  see  fit  to  be  more  frank, 
we  shall  be  compelled  to  refuse  you  our  faith,  and 
still  persevere  in  our  intention  to  profit,  by  the  op 
portunity  of  the  'Royal  Caroline,'  to  get  to  the 
Carolinas." 

*4  From  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  Madam,  do  I  re 
gret  the  determination." 

"  It  may  still  be  in  your  power  to  change  it,  by 
being  explicit." 

Wilder  appeared  to  muse,  and  once  or  twice  his 
lips  moved,  as  if  he  were  about  to  speak.  Mrs 
Wyllys  and  Gertrude  awaited  his  intentions  with 
intense  interest ;  but,  sifter  a  long  and  seemingly 
hesitating  pause,  he  disappointed  both,  bv  saying,— 
N2 


150  THE    RED    ROTER. 

"  1  am  sorry  that  I  have  not  the  ability  to  make 
myself  better  understood.  It  can  only  be  the  fault 
of  my  dullness  ;  for  I  again  affirm  that  the  danger  is 
as  apparent  to  my  eyes  as  the  sun  at  noon  day." 

"Then  we  must  continue  blind,  sir,"  returned 
Mrs  Wyllys,  with  a  cold  salute.  "  1  thank  you  for 
your  good  and  kind  intentions,  but  you  cannot  blame 
us  for  not  consenting  to  follow  advice  which  is  buri- 
ed  in  so  much  obscurity.  Although  in  our  own 
grounds,  we  shall  be  pardoned  the  rudeness  of  leav 
ing  you.  The  hour  appointed  for  our  departure  has 
now  arrived." 

Wilder  returned  the  grave  bow  of  Mrs  Wyllys 
with  one  quite  as  formal  as  her  own ;  though  he 
bent  with  greater  grace,  and  with  more  cordiality, 
to  the  deep  but  hurried  curtesy  of  Gertrude  Gray- 
son.  He  remained  in  the  precise  spot,  however,  in 
which  they  left  him,  until  he  saw  them  enter  the 
villa;  and  he  even  fancied  he  could  catch  the  anxious 
expression  of  another  timid  glance  which  the  latter 
threw  in  his  direction,  as  her  light  form  appeared  to 
float  from  before  his  sight.  Placing  one  hand  on  the 
wall,  the  young  sailor  then  leaped  into  the  highway. 
As  his  feet  struck  the  ground,  the  slight  shock  seemed 
to  awake  him  from  his  abstraction,  and  he  became 
conscious  that  he  stood  within  six  feet  of  the  old 
mariner,  who  had  now  twice  stepped  so  rudely  be 
tween  him  and  the  object  he  had  so  much  at  heart. 
The  latter  did  not  allow  him  time  to  give  utterance 
to  his  disappointment ;  for  he  was  the  first  himself 
to  speak. 

"  Come,  brother,"  he  said,  in  friendly,  confidential 
tones,  and  shaking  his  head,  like  one  who  wished  to 
show  to  his  companion  that  he  was  aware  of  the 
deception  he  had  attempted  to  practise;  "come, 
brother,  you  have  stood  far  enough  on  this  tack,  and 
it  is  time  to  try  another.  Ay,  I've  been  young  my 
self  in  my  time,  and  I  know  what  a  hard  matter  it 


THE    RED    ROVER.  151 

is  to  give  the  devil  a  wide  birth,  when  there  is  fun 
to  be  found  in  sailing  in  his  company :  But  old  age 
brings  us  to  our  reckonings ;  and,  when  the  life  is 
getting  on  short  allowance  with  a  poor  fellow,  he 
begins  to  think  of  being  sparing  of  his  tricks,  just 
as  water  is  saved  in  a  ship,  when  the  calms  set  in, 
after  it  has  been  spilt  about  decks  like  rain,  for  weeks 
and  months  on  end.  Thought  conies  with  gray  hairs, 
and  no  one  is  the  worse  for  providing  a  little  of  it 
among  his  other  small  stores." 

"  I  had  hoped,  when  I  gave  you  the  bottom  of  the 
hill,  and  took  the  top  myself,"  returned  Wilder, 
without  even  deigning  to  look  at  his  disagreeable 
companion,  "  that  we  had  parted  company  for  ever, 
As  you  seem,  however,  to  prefer  the  high  ground,  I 
leave  you  to  enjoy  it  at  your  leisure;  I  shall  descend 
into  the  town," 

The  old  man  shuffled  after  him,  with  a  gait  that 
rendered  it  difficult  for  Wilder,  who  was  by  this  time 
in  a  fast  walk,  to  outstrip  him,  without  resorting  to 
the  undignified  expedient  of  an  actual  flight.  Vexed 
alike  with  himself  and  his  tormentor,  he  was  tempt 
ed  to  offer  some  violence  to  the  latter;  and  then, 
recalled  to  his  reccollection  by  the  dangerous  im 
pulse,  he  moderated  his  pace,  and  continued  his 
route,  with  a  calm  determination  to  be  superior  to 
any  emotions  that  such  a  pitiful  object  could  excite, 

44  You  were  going  under  such  a  press  of  sail, 
young  Master,"  said  the  stubborn  old  mariner,  who 
still  kept  a  pace  or  two  in  his  rear,  **  that  I  had  to  set 
every  thing  to  hold  way  with  you ;  but  you  now  seem 
to  be  getting  reasonable,  and  we  may  as  well  lighten 
the  passage  by  a  little  profitable  talk.  You  had  nearly 
made  the  oldish  lady  believe  the  good  ship  4  Royal 
Caroline1  was  the  flying  Dutchman  !" 

"And  why  did  you  see  fit  to  undeceive  her?" 
Muntly  demanded  Wilder. 

"  Would  you  have  a  man,  who  has  followed  blue 


152  THE    RED    ROVER. 

water  fifty  years,  scandalize  wood  and  iron  after  so 
wild  a  manner  ?  The  character  of  a  ship  is  as  dear 
to  an  old  sea-dog,  as  the  character  of  his  wife  or  his 
sweetheart." 

"  Hark  ye,  friend  ;  you  live,  I  suppose,  like  othei 
people,  by  eating  and  drinking?" 

"  A  little  of  the  first,  and  a  good  deal  of  the  last,1 
returned  the  other,  with  a  chuckle. 

"  And  you  get  both,  like  most  seaman,  by  haro 
work,  great  risk,  and  the  severest  exposure  ?" 

"  Hum !  '  Making  our  money  like  horses,  ana 
spending  it  like  asses  !' — that  is  said  to  be  the  way 
with  us  all." 

"  Now,  then,  have  you  an  opportunity  of  making 
some  with  less  labour ;  you  may  spend  it  to  suit  your 
own  fancy.  Will  you  engage  in  my  service  for  a  few 
hours,  with  this  for  your  bounty,  and  as  much  more 
for  wages,  provided  you  deal  honestly  ?" 

The  old  man  stretched  out  a  hand,  and  took  the 
guinea  which  Wilder  had  showed  over  his  shoulder, 
without  appearing  to  deem  it  at  all  necessary  to  face 
his  recruit. 

"  It's  no  sham  !"  said  the  latter,  stopping  to  ring 
the  metal  on  a  stone. 

"  'Tis  gold,  as  pure  as  ever  came  from  the  Mint" 

The  other  very  coolly  pocketed  the  coin;  and 
then,  with  a  certain  hardened  a-nd  decided  way,  as 
if  he  were  now  ready  for  any  thing,  he  demanded, — 

"  What  hen-roost  am  I  to  rob  for  this  ?" 

"  You  are  to  do  no  such  pitiful  act ;  yon  have  only 
to  perform  a  little  of  that  which,  I  fancy,  you  are  no 
stranger  to  :  Can  you  keep  a  false  log  ?" 

"  Ay ;  and  swear  to  it,  on  occasion.  I  understand 
you.  You  are  tired  of  twisting  the  truth  like  a  new 
laid  rope,  and  you  wish  to  turn  the  job  over  to  me," 

"  Something  so.  You  must  unsay  all  you  have 
said  concerning  yonder  ship  ;  and,  as  you  have  had 
cunning  enough  to  get  on  the  weather-side  of  Mrs 


THE   RED   ROVER.  153 

de  Lacey,  you  must  improve  your  advantage,  by 
making  matters  a  little  worse  than  I  have  represent 
ed  them  to  be.  Tell  me,  that  I  may  judge  of  your 
qualifications,  did  you,  in  truth,  ever  sail  with  the 
worthy  Rear-Admiral  ?" 

"  As  I  am  an  honest  and  religious  Christian,  I 
never  heard  of  the  honest  old  man  before  yesterday. 
Oh!  you  may  trust  me  in  these  matters !  I  am  not 
likely  to  spoil  a  history  for  want  of  facts." 

"  I  think  you  will  do.  Now  listen  to  my  plan." 

"  Stop,  worthy  messmate,"  interrupted  the  other : 
"  *  Stones  can  hear,'  they  say  on  shore :  we  sailors 
know  that  the  pumps  have  ears  on  board  a  ship : 
have  you  ever  seen  such  a  place  as  the  '  Foul  An 
chor'  tavern,  in  this  town  ?" 

"  I  have  been  there." 

"  I  hope  you  like  it  well  enough  to  go  again.  Here 
we  will  part.  You  shall  haul  on  the  wind,  being  the 
lightest  sailer,  and  make  a  stretch  or  two  among 
these  houses,  until  you  are  well  to  windward  of  yon 
der  church.  You  will  then  have  plain  sailing  down 
upon  hearty  Joe  Joram's,  where  is  to  be  found  as 
snug  an  anchorage,  for  an  honest  trader,  as  at  any 
inn  in  the  Colonies.  I  will  keep  away  down  this 
hill,  and,  considering  the  difference  in  our  rate  of 
sailing,  we  shall  not  be  long  after  one  another  in 
port." 

"  And  what  is  to  be  gained  by  so  much  manoeuv 
ring  ?  Can  you  listen  to  nothing  which  is  not  steep 
ed  in  rum?" 

"  You  offend  me  by  the  word.  You  shall  see  what 
it  is  to  send  a  sober  messenger  on  your  errands,  when 
the  time  comes.  But,  suppose  we  are  seen  speaking 
to  each  other  on  the  highway — why,  as  you  are  in 
Buch  low  repute  just  now,  I  shall  lose  my  character 
with  the  ladies  altogether." 

"  There  may  be  reason  in  that.     Hasten,  then,  to 


154  THE   RED   ROVER. 

meet  me  ;  for,  as  they  spoke  of  embarking  soon, 
there  is  not  a  minute  to  lose." 

"  No  fear  of  their  breaking  ground  so  suddenly," 
returned  the  old  man,  holding  the  palm  of  his  hand 
above  his  head  to  catch  the  wind.  "  There  is  not 
yet  air  enough  to  cool  the  burning  cheeks  of  that 
young  beauty  ;  and,  depend  on  it,  the  signal  will  not 
be  given  to  them  until  the  sea  breeze  is  fairly  come 
in." 

Wilder  waved  his  hand,  and  stepped  lightly  along 
the  road  the  other  had  indicated  to  him,  ruminating 
on  the  figure  which  the  fresh  and  youthful  charms 
of  Gertrude  had  extorted  from  one  even  as  old  and 
as  coarse  as  his  new  ally.  His  companion  followed 
his  person  for  a  moment,  with  an  amused  look,  and 
an  ironical  cast  of  the  eye  ;  and  then  he  also  quick 
ened  his  pace,  in  order  to  reach  the  place  of  ren 
dezvous  in  sufficient  season. 


CHAPTER    X. 

"  Forewarn  him,  that  he  use  no  scurrilous  words." 

Winter's  Tale. 

As  Wilder  approached  the  "Foul  Anchor,"  he 
beheld  every  symptom  of  some  powerful  excitement 
existing  within  the  bosom  of  the  hitherto  peaceful 
town.  More  than  half  the  women,  and  perhaps  one 
fourth  of  all  the  men,  within  a  reasonable  proximity 
to  that  well  known  inn,  wrere  assembled  before  its 
door,  listening  to  one  of  the  former  sex,  who  de 
claimed,  in  tones  so  shrill  and  penetrating,  as  not  to 
leave  the  proprietors  of  the  curious  and  attentive 
countenances,  in  the  outer  circle  of  the  crowd,  the 
smallest  rational  ground  of  complaint  on  the  score 
of  impartiality.  Our  adventurer  hesitated,  with  the 


THE    RED    ROVER.  155 

sudden  consciousness  of  one  but  newly  embarked 
in  such  enterprises  as  that  in  which  he  had  so  re 
cently  enlisted,  when  he  first  saw  these  signs  of 
commotion;  nor  did  he  determine  to  proceed  until 
he  caught  a  glimpse  of  his  aged  confederate,  elbow 
ing  his  way  through  the  mass  of  bodies,  with  a  per 
severance  and  energy  that  promised  to  bring  him 
right  speedily  into  the  very  presence  of  her  who  ut 
tered  such  loud  and  piercing  plaints.  Encouraged 
by  this  example,  the  young  man  advanced,  but  was 
content  to  take  his  position,  for  a  moment,  in  a  situ 
ation  that  left  him  entire  command  of  his  limbs, 
and,  consequently,  in  a  condition  to  make  a  timely 
retreat,  should  the  latter  measure  prove  at  all  expe 
dient 

44 1  call  on  you,  Earthly  Potter,  and  you,  Preserv 
ed  Green,  and  you.  Faithful  Wanton,"  cried  Desire, 
as  he  came  within  hearing,  pausing  to  catch  a  mor 
sel  of  breath,  before  she  proceeded  in  her  affecting 
appeal  to  the  neighbourhood ;  "  and  you  too,  Up 
right  Crook,  and  you  too,  Relent  Flint,  and  you, 
Wealthy  Poor,  to  be  witnesses  arid  testimonials  in 
my  behalf.  You,  and  all  and  each  of  you,  can  qual 
ify,  if  need  should  be,  that  I  have  ever  been  a  slaving 
and  loving  consort  of  this  man  who  has  deserted  me 
in  my  age,  leaving  so  many  of  his  own  children  on 
my  hands,  to  feed  and  to  rear,  besides" — 

"  What  certainty  is  it,"  interrupted  the  landlord 
of  the  "  Foul  Anchor  "  most  inopportunely,  "  that 
the  good-man  has  absconded  ?  It  was  a  merry  day, 
the  one  that  is  just  gone,  and  it  is  quite  in  reason  to 
believe  your  husband  was,  like  some  others  I  can 
name — a  thing  I  shall  not  be  so  unwise  as  to  do — 
a  little  of  what  I  call  how-come-ye-so,  and  that 
his  nap  holds  on  longer  than  common.  I'll  en 
gage  we  shall  all  see  the  honest  tailor  creeping  out 
of  some  of  the  barns  shortly,  as  fresh  and  as  ready 
for  his  bitters  as  if  he  had  not  wet  his  throat  with 


t56  THE    RED    ROVER. 

cold  water  since  the  last  time  of  general  rej 'ic 
ing." 

A  low  but  pretty  general  laugh  followed  this  effort 
of  tavern  wit,  though  it  failed  in  exciting  even  a 
smile  on  the  disturbed  visage  of  Desire,  which,  by 
its  doleful  outline,  appeared  to  have  taken  leave  of 
all  its  risible  properties  for  ever. 

"  Not  he,  not  he,"  exclaimed  the  disconsolate 
consort  of  the  good-man ;  "  he  has  not  the  heart  to 
get  himself  courageous,  in  loyal  drinking,  on  such  an 
occasion  as  a  merry-making  on  account  of  his  Majes 
ty's  glory  ;  he  was  a  man  altogether  for  work  ;  and 
it  is  chiefly  for  his  hard  labour  that  I  have  reason  to 
complain.  After  being  so  long  used  to  rely  on  his 
toil,  it  is  a  sore  cross  to  a  dependant  woman  to  be 
thrown  suddenly  and  altogether  on  hers-elf  for  sup 
port.  But  I'll  be  revenged  on  him,  if  there's  law  to 
be  found  in  Rhode  Island,  or  in  the  Providence 
Plantations !  Let  him  dare  to  keep  his  pitiful 
image  out  of  my  sight  the  lawful  time,  and  then, 
when  he  returns,  he  shall  find  himself,  as  many  a 
vagabond  has  been  before  him,  without  wife,  as  be 
will  be  without  house  to  lay  his  graceless  head  in."* 
Then,  catching  a  glimpse  of  the  inquiring  face  of  the 
old  seaman,  who  by  this  time  had  worked  his  way 
to  her  very  side,  she  abruptly  added,  "  Here  is  a 
stranger  in  the  place,  and  one  who  has  lately  arrived ! 
Did  you  meet  a  straggling  runaway,  friend,  in  your 
journey  hither?" 

"  I  had  too  much  trouble  in  navigating  my  old 
hulk  on  dry  land,  to  log  the  name  and  rate  of  every 

*  It  would  seem,  from  this  declaration,  that  certain  legal 
antiquarians,  who  have  contended  that  the  community  is  in 
debted  to  Desire  for  the  unceremonious  manner  of  clipping 
the  nuptial  knot,  which  is  so  well  known  to  exist,  even  to  this 
hour,  in  the  community  of  which  she  was  a  member,  are  en 
tirely  in  the  wrong.  It  evidently  did  not  take  its  rise  in  her 
example,  since  she  clearly  alludes  to  it,  as  a  means  before 
resorted  to  by  the  injured  innocents  of  her  own  sex. 


THE  RED  ROVER.  157 

craft  I  fell  in  with,"  returned  the  other,  with  infinite 
composure ;  "  and  yet,  now  you  speak  oi  such  a 
thing,  I  do  remember  to  have  come  within  hail  of  a 
poor  fellow,  just  about  the  beginning  of  the  morning- 
watch,  somewhere  hereaway,  up  in  the  bushes 
between  this  town  and  the  bit  of  a  ferry  that  carries 
one  on  to  the  main." 

"  What  sort  of  a  man  was  he  ?"  demanded  five  or 
six  anxious  voices,  in  a  breath ;  among  which  the 
tones  of  Desire,  however,  maintained  their  suprem 
acy,  rising  above  those  of  all  the  others,  like  the 
strains  of  a  first-rate  artist  flourishing  a  quaver  above 
the  more  modest  thrills  of  the  rest  of  the  troupe. 

"  What  sort  of  a  man  !  Why  a  fellow  with  his 
arms  rigged  athwart  ship,  and  his  legs  stepped  like 
those  of  all  other  Christians,  to  be  sure :  but,  now 
you  speak  of  it,  I  remember  that  he  had  a  bit  of  a 
sheep-shank  in  one  of  his  legs,  and  rolled  a  good 
deal  as  he  went  ahead." 

"  It  was  he !"  added  the  same  chorus  of  voices. 
Five  or  six  of  the  speakers  instantly  stole  slyly  out 
of  the  throng,  with  the  commendable  intention  of 
hurrying  after  the  delinquent,  in  order  to  secure  the 
payment  of  certain  small  balances  of  account,  in 
which  the  unhappy  and  much  traduced  good-man 
stood  indebted  to  the  several  parties.  Had  we  leisure 
to  record  the  manner  in  which  these  praiseworthy 
efforts,  to  save  an  honest  penny,  were  conducted, 
the  reader  might  find  much  subject  of  amusement  in 
the  secret  diligence  with  which  each  worthy  trades 
man  endeavoured  to  outwit  his  neighbour,  on  the 
occasion,  as  well  as  in  the  cunning  subterfuges  which 
were  adopted  to  veil  their  real  designs,  when  all  met 
at  the  ferry,  deceived  and  disappointed  in  their  ob 
ject.  As  Desire,  however,  had  neither  legal  demand 
on,  nor  hope  of  favour  from,  her  truant  husband,  she 
was  content  to  pursue,  on  the  spot,  such  further  in 
quiries  in  behalf  of  the  fugitive  as  she  saw  fit  to  make. 


158  THE    RED    ROVER. 

It  is  possible  the  pleasures  of  freedom,  in  the  shape 
of  the  contemplated  divorce,  were  already  floating 
before  her  active  mind,  with  the  soothing  perspec 
tive  of  second  nuptials,  backed  by  the  influence  of 
such  another  picture  as  might  be  drawn  from  the 
recollections  of  her  first  love ;  the  whole  having  a 
manifest  tendency  to  pacify  her  awakened  spirit,  and 
to  give  a  certain  portion  of  directness  and  energy  to 
her  subsequent  interrogatories. 

"  Had  he  a  thieving  look  ?"  she  demanded,  with 
out  attending  to  the  manner  in  which  she  was  so 
suddenly  deserted  by  all  those  who  had  just  express 
ed  the  strongest  sympathy  in  her  loss.  "  Was  he  a 
man  that  had  the  air  of  a  sneaking  runaway  ?" 

"  As  for  his  head-piece,  I  will  not  engage  to  give 
a  very  true  account,"  returned  the  old  mariner ; 
"  though  he  had  the  look  of  one  who  had  been  kept, 
a  good  deal  of  his  time,  in  the  lee  scuppers.  If  I 
should  give  an  opinion,  the  poor  devil  has  had  too 
much" — 

"  Idle  time,  you  would  say ;  yes,  yes  ;  it  has  been 
his  misfortune  to  be  out  of  work  a  good  deal  latter 
ly,  and  wickedness  has  got  into  his  head,  for  want  of 
something  better  to  think  of.  Too  much" — 

"  Wife,"  interrupted  the  old  man,  emphatically. 
Another  general,  and  far  less  equivocal  laugh,  at  the 
expense  of  Desire,  succeeded  this  blunt  declaration 
Nothing  intimidated  by  such  a  manifest  assent  to  the 
opinion  of  the  hardy  seaman,  the  undaunted  virago 
resumed, — 

"  Ah !  you  little  know  the  suffering  and  forbear 
ance  I  have  endured  with  the  man  in  so  many  long 
years.  Had  the  fellow  you  met  the  look  of  one  who 
had  left  an  injured  woman  behind  him  ?" 

"  I  can't  say  there  was  any  thing  about  him  which 
said,  in  so  many  words,  that  the  woman  he  had  left 
at  her  moorings  was  more  or  less  injured  ;"  returned 
the  tar,  with  commendable  discrimination, "  but  there 


THE   RED   ROVER.  159 

was  enough  about  him  to  show,  that,  however  and 
wherever  he  may  have  stowed  his  wife,  if  wife  she 
was,  he  had  not  seen  fit  to  leave  all  her  outfit  at 
home.  The  man  had  plenty  of  female  toggery  around 
his  neck ;  I  suppose  he  found  it  more  agreeable  than 
her  arms." 

"What!"  exclaimed  Desire,  looking  aghast;  "has 
he  dared  to  rob  me !  What  had  he  of  mine  ?  not  the 
gold  beads !" 

"  I'll  not  swear  they  were  no  sham." 

"  The  villain  !"  continued  the  enraged  termagant, 
catching  her  breath  like  a  person  that  had  just  been 
submerged  in  water  longer  than  is  agreeable  to  hu 
man  nature,  and  forcing  her  way  through  the  crowd, 
with  such  vigour  as  soon  to  be  in  a  situation  to  fly  to 
her  secret  hordes,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  extent  of 
her  misfortune  ;  "  the  sacrilegious  villain  !  to  rob  the 
wife  of  his  bosom,  the  mother  of  his  own  children, 
and" 

"  Well,  well,"  again  interrupted  the  landlord  of 
the  4  Foul  Anchor,'  with  his  unseasonable  voice,  "  1 
never  before  heard  the  good-man  suspected  of  rogue 
ry,  though  the  neighbourhood  was  ever  backward  in 
calling  him  chicken-hearted.'* 

The  old  seaman  looked  the  publican  full  in  the 
face,  with  much  meaning  in  his  eye,  as  he  answer 
ed,-— 

"  If  the  honest  tailor  never  robbed  any  but  that 
virago,  there  would  be  no  great  thieving  sin  to  be 
laid  to  his  account ;  for  every  bead  he  had  about 
him  wouldn't  serve  to  pay  his  ferryage.  I  could 
carry  all  the  gold  on  his  neck  in  my  eye,  and  see 
none  the  worse  for  its  company.  But  it  is  a  shame 
to  stop  the  entrance  into  a  licensed  tavern,  with  such 
a  mob,  as  if  it  were  an  embargoed  port ;  and  so  I 
have  sent  the  woman  after  her  valuables,  and  all  the 
idlers,  as  you  see,  in  her  wake." 


160  THE    RED    ROVER. 

Joe  Joram  gazed  on  the  speaker  like  a  man  en 
thralled  by  some  mysterious  charm ;  neither  answer 
ing,  nor  altering  the  direction  of  his  eye,  for  near  a 
minute.  Then,  suddenly  breaking  out  in  a  deep  and 
powerful  laugh,  as  if  he  were  not  backward  in  en 
joying  the  artifice,  which  certainly  had  produced  the 
effect  of  removing  the  crowd  from  his  own  door  to 
that  of  the  absent  tailor,  he  flourished  his  arm  in  the 
way  of  greeting,  and  exclaimed, — 

"  Welcome,  tarry  Bob ;  welcome,  old  boy,  wel 
come  !  From  what  cloud  have  you  fallen  ?  and  be 
fore  what  wind  have  you  been  running,  that  New 
port  is  again  your  harbour?" 

"  Too  many  questions  to  be  answered  in  an  open 
roadstead,  friend  Joram ;  and  altogether  too  dry  a 
subject  for  a  husky  conversation.  When  I  am  birth- 
ed  in  one  of  your  inner  cabins,  with  a  mug  of  flip 
and  a  kid  of  good  Rhode  Island  beef  within  grap 
pling  distance,  why,  as  many  questions  as  you  choose, 
and  as  many  answers,  you  know,  as  suits  my  ap 
petite." 

"  And  who's  to  pay  the  piper,  honest  Bob  ?  whose 
ship's  purser  will  pay  your  check  now?"  continued 
the  publican,  showing  the  old  sailor  in,  however, 
with  a  readiness  that  seemed  to  contradict  the  doubt, 
expressed  by  his  words,  of  any  reward  for  such  ex 
traordinary  civility. 

"Who?"  interrupted  the  other,  displaying  the 
money  so  lately  received  from  Wilder,  in  such  a 
manner  that  it  might  be  seen  by  the  few  by-standers 
who  remained,  as  though  he  would  himself  furnish 
a  sufficient  apology  for  the  distinguished  manner  in 
which  he  was  received  ;  "  who  but  this  gentleman  ? 
I  can  boast  of  being  backed  by  the  countenance  of 
his  Sacred  Majesty  himself,  God  bless  him  !" 

"  God  bless  him !"  echoed  several  of  the  loyal 
lieges ;  and  that  too  in  a  place  which  has  since 


THE   RED   ROVER.  16  J 

heard  such  very  different  cries,  and  where  the  same 
words  would  now  excite  nearly  as  much  surprise, 
though  far  less  alarm,  than  an  earthquake. 

"God  bless  him!"  repeated  Joram,  opening  the 
door  of  an  inner  room,  and  pointing  the  way  to  his 
customer,  "and  all  that  are  favored  with  his  coun 
tenance!  Walk  in,  old  Bob,  and  you  shall  soon  grap 
pie  with  half  an  ox." 

Wilder,  who  had  approached  the  outer  door  of 
the  tavern  as  the  mob  receded,  witnessed  the  retreat 
of  the  two  worthies  into  the  recesses  of  the  house, 
and  immediately  entered  the  bar-room  himself. 
While  deliberating  on  the  manner  in  which  he  should 
arrive  at  a  communication  with  his  new  confederate, 
without  attracting  too  much  attention  to  so  odd  an 
association,  the  landlord  returned  in  person  to  re 
lieve  him.  After  casting  a  hasty  glance  around  the 
apartment,  his  look  settled  on  our  adventurer,  whom 
he  approached  in  a  manner  half-doubting,  half- 
decided. 

"What  success,  sir,  in  looking  for  a  ship  ?"  he  de 
manded,  now  recognizing,  for  the  first  time,  the 
stranger  with  whom  he  had  before  held  converse 
that  morning.  "More  hands  than  places  to  employ 
them  r 

"  I  am  not  sure  it  will  so  prove.  In  my  walk  on 
the  hill,  I  met  an  old  seaman,  who" — 

"  Hum !"  interrupted  the  publican,  with  an  intel 
ligible,  though  stolen,  sign  to  follow.  "You  will 
find  it  more  convenient,  sir,  to  take  your  breakfast 
in  another  room."  Wilder  followed  his  conductor, 
who  left  the  public  apartment  by  a  different  door 
from  that  by  which  he  had  led  his  other  guest  into 
the  interior  of  the  house,  wondering  at  the  air  of 
mystery  that  the  innkeeper  saw  fit  to  assume  on  the 
occasion.  After  leading  him  by  a  circuitous  passage, 
the  latter  showed  Wilder,  in  profound  silence,  up 
a  private  stair- way,  into  the  very  attic  of  the  build- 
O  2 


162  THE    RED    ROVER. 

ing.  Here  he  rapped  lightly  at  a  door,  and  was  bid 
to  enter,  by  a  voice  that  caused  our  adventurer  to 
start  by  its  deepness  and  severity.  On  finding  him 
self,  however,  in  a  low  and  confined  room,  he  saw 
no  other  occupant  than  the  seaman  who  had  just 
been  greeted  by  the  publican  as  an  old  acquaintance, 
and  by  a  name  to  which  he  might,  by  his  attire,  well 
lay  claim  to  be  entitled — that  of  tarry  Bob.  While 
Wilder  was  staring  about  him,  a  good  deal  surprised 
at  the  situation  in  which  he  was  placed,  the  land 
lord  retired,  and  he  found  himself  alone  with  his 
confederate.  The  latter  was  already  engaged  in 
discussing  the  fragment  of  the  ox,  just  mentioned, 
and  in  quaffing  of  some  liquid  that  seemed  equally 
adapted  to  his  taste,  although  sufficient  time  had  not 
certainly  been  allowed  to  prepare  the  beverage  he 
had  seen  fit  to  order.  Without  allowing  his  visiter 
leisure  for  much  further  reflection,  the  old  mariner 
made  a  motion  to  him  to  take  the  only  vacant  chair 
in  the  room,  while  he  continued  his  employment  on 
the  surloin  with  as  much  assiduity  as  though  no  in 
terruption  had  taken  place. 

"  Honest  Joe  Joram  always  makes  a  friend  of  his 
butcher,"  he  said,  after  ending  a  draught  that  threat 
ened  to  drain  the  mug  to  the  bottom.  "  There  is 
such  a  flavour  about  his  beef,  that  one  might  mistake 
it  for  the  fin  of  a  halibut.  You  have  been  in  foreign 
parts,  shipmate,  or  I  may  call  you  4  messmate,1  since 
we  are  both  anchored  nigh  the  same  kid — but  you 
have  doubtless  been  in  foreign  countries  ?" 

"  Often ;  I  should  else  be  but  a  miserable  sea 
man." 

"  Then,  tell  me  frankly,  have  you  ever  been  in 
the  kingdom  that  can  furnish  such  rations — fish, 
flesh,  fowl,  and  fruits — as  this  very  noble  land  of 
America,  in  which  we  are  now  both  moored  ?  and 
in  which  I  suppose  we  both  of  us  were  born  ?" 

"  It  would  be  carrying  the  love  of  home  a  littlo 


THE    RED    ROVER.  163 

too  far,  to  believe  in  such  universal  superiority," 
returned  Wilder,  willing  to  divert  the  conversation 
from  his  real  object,  until  he  had  time  to  arrange  his 
ideas,  and  assure  himself  he  had  no  other  auditor  but 
his  visible  companion,  "  It  is  generally  admitted 
that  England  excels  us  in  all  these  articles." 

"By  whom?  by  your  know-nothings  and  bold 
talkers.  But  I,  a  man  who  has  seen  the  four  quarters 
of  the  earth,  and  no  small  part  of  the  water  besides, 
give  the  lie  to  such  empty  boasters.  We  are  colonies, 
friend,  we  are  colonies ;  and  it  is  as  bold  in  a  colony 
to  tell  the  mother  that  it  has  the  advantage,  in  this  or 
that  particular,  as  it  would  be  in  a  foremast  Jack  to 
tell  his  officer  he  was  wrong,  though  he  knew  it  to 
be  true.  I  am  but  a  poor  man,  Mr —  By  what  name 
may  I  call  your  Honour  ?" 

"  Me !  my  name  ? — Harris." 

"  I  am  but  a  poor  man,  Mr  Harris  ;  but  I  have  had 
charge  of  a  watch  in  my  time,  old  and  rusty  as  I 
seem,  nor  have  I  spent  so  many  long  nights  on  deck 
without  keeping  thoughts  at  work,  though  I  may  not 
have  overhauled  as  much  philosophy,  in  so  doing,  as 
a  paid  parish  priest,  or  a  fee'd  lawyer.  Let  me  tell 
you,  it  is  a  disheartening  thing  to  be  nothing  but  a 
dweller  in  a  colony.  It  keeps  down  the  pride  and 
spirit  of  a  man,  and  lends  a  hand  in  making  him  what 
his  masters  would  be  glad  to  have  him.  1  shall  say 
nothing  of  fruits,  and  meats,  and  other  eatables,  that 
come  from  the  land  of  which  both  you  and  I  have 
heard  and  know  too  much,  unless  it  be  to  point  to 
yonder  sun,  and  then  to  ask  the  question,  whether 
you  think  King  George  has  the  power  to  make  it 
shine  on  the  bit  of  an  island  where  he  lives,  as  it 
shines  here  in  his  broad  provinces  of  America?" 

"  Certainly  not :  and  yet  you  know  that  every  one 
allows  that  the  productions  of  England  are  so  much 
superior" — 

"  Ay,  ay ;  a  cclony  always  sails  under  the  lee  of 


164  THE   RED   ROVER. 

its  mother.  Talk  does  it  all,  friend  Harris.  Talk, 
talk,  talk ;  a  man  can  talk  himself  into  a  fever,  or 
set  a  ship's  company  by  the  ears.  He  can  talk  a 
cherry  into  a  peach,  or  a  flounder  into  a  whale.  Now 
here  is  the  whole  of  this  long  coast  of  America,  and 
all  her  rivers,  and  lakes,  and  brooks,  swarming 
with  such  treasures  as  any  man  might  fatten  on,  and 
yet  his  Majesty's  servants,  who  come  among  us,  talk 
of  their  turbots,  and  their  sole,  and  their  carp,  as  if 
the  Lord  had  only  made  such  fish,  and  the  devil  had 
let  the  others  slip  through  his  fingers,  without  asking 
leave." 

Wilder  turned,  and  fastened  a  look  of  surprise  on 
the  old  man,  who  continued  to  eat,  however,  as  if  he 
had  uttered  nothing  but  what  might  be  considered 
as  a  matter  of  course  opinion. 

"  You  are  more  attached  to  your  birth-place  than 
loyal,  friend,"  said  the  young  mariner,  a  little  aus 
terely. 

"I  am  not  fish-loyal  at  least.  What  the  Lord 
made,  one  may  speak  of,  I  hope,  without  offence.  As 
to  the  Government,  that  is  a  rope  twisted  by  the 
hands  of  man,  and" — 

"  And  what  ?"  demanded  Wilder,  perceiving  that 
the  other  hesitated. 

"  Hum !  Why,  I  fancy  man  will  undo  his  own 
work,  when  he  can  find  nothing  better  to  busy  him 
self  in.  No  harm  in  saying  that  either,  I  hope  ?" 

"  So  much,  that  I  must  call  your  attention  to  the 
business  that  has  brought  us  together.  You  have  not 
so  soon  forgotten  the  earnest-money  you  received?" 

The  old  sailor  shoved  the  dish  from  before  him, 
and,  folding  his  arms,  he  looked  his  companion  full 
in  the  eye,  as  he  calmly  answered, — 

"  When  I  am  fairly  enlisted  in  a  service,  I  am  a 
man  to  be  counted  on.  I  hope  you  sail  under  the 
same  colors,  friend  Harris  V9 

"  It  would  be  dishonest  to  be  otherwise.    There 


THE    RED    ROVER.  165 

is  one  thing  you  will  excuse,  before  i  proceed  to  de 
tail  my  plans  and  wishes :  I  must  take  occasion  to 
examine  this  closet,  in  order  to  be  sure  that  we  are 
actually  alone." 

"  You  will  find  little  there  except  the  toggery  of 
some  of  honest  Joe's  female  gender.  As  the  door 
is  not  fastened  with  any  extraordinary  care,  you  have 
only  to  look  for  yourself,  since  seeing  is  believing." 

Wilder  did  not  seem  disposed  to  wait  for  this  per 
mission  ;  he  opened  the  door,  even  while  the  other 
was  speaking,  and,  finding  that  the  closet  actually 
contained  little  else  than  the  articles  named  by  his 
companion,  he  turned  away,  like  a  man  who  was 
disappointed. 

u  Were  you  alone  when  1  entered?"  he  demanded, 
after  a  thoughtful  pause  of  a  moment. 

"  Honest  Joram,  and  yourself." 

"But  no  one  else?" 

"  None  that  I  saw,"  returned  the  other,  with  a 
manner  that  betrayed  a  slight  uneasiness ;  "  if  you 
think  otherwise,  let  us  overhaul  the  room.  Should 
my  hand  fall  on  a  listener,  the  salute  will  not  be 
light." 

"  Hold — answer  me  one  question  ;  who  bade  me 
enter?" 

Tarry  Bob,  who  had  arisen  with  a  good  deal  of 
alacrity,  now  reflected  in  his  turn  for  an  instant,  and 
then  he  closed  his  musing,  by  indulging  in  a  low 
laugh. 

"  Ah !  I  see  that  you  have  got  your  ideas  a  little 
jammed.  A  man  cannot  talk  the  same,  with  a  small 
portion  of  ox  in  his  mouth,  as  though  his  tongue  had 
as  much  sea-room  as  a  ship  four-and-twenty  hours 
out." 

"  Then,  you  spoke  ?" 

"  I'll  swear  to  that  much,"  returned  Bob,  resum 
ing  his  seat  like  one  who  had  settled  the  whole  af 
fair  to  his  entire  satisfaction;  "  and  now,  friend  Har- 


166  THE    RED    ROVER. 

ris,  if  you  are  ready  to  lay  bare  your  mind,  Pm  just 
as  ready  to  look  at  it." 

Wilder  did  not  appear  to  be  quite  as  well  content 
with  the  explanation  as  his  companion,  but  he  drew 
a  chair,  and  prepared  to  open  his  subject. 

"  I  am  not  to  tell  you,  friend,  after  what  you  have 
heard  and  seen,  that  I  have  no  very  strong  desire 
that  the  lady  with  whom  we  have  both  spoken  this 
morning,  and  her  companion,  should  sail  in  the 
4  Royal  Caroline.1  I  suppose  it  is  enough  for  our 
purposes  that  you  should  know  the  fact ;  the  reason 
why  I  prefer  they  should  remain  where  they  are,  can 
be  of  no  moment  as  to  the  duty  you  are  to  under 
take." 

"  You  need  not  tell  an  old  seaman  how  to  gather 
in  the  slack  of  a  running  idea !"  cried  Bob,  chuck 
ling  and  winking  at  his  companion  in  a  way  that  dis 
pleased  the  latter  by  its  familiarity ;  "  I  have  not 
lived  fifty  years  on  blue  water,  to  mistake  it  for  the 
skies.11 

"  You  then  fancy,  sir,  that  my  motive  is  no  secret 
to  you  ?" 

"  It  needs  no  spy-glass  to  see,  that,  while  the  old 
people  say,  4  Go,1  the  young  people  would  like  to 
stay  where  they  are.11 

"  You  do  both  of  the  young  people  much  injus 
tice,  then  ;  for,  until  yesterday,  I  never  laid  eyes  on 
the  person  you  mean." 

"  Ah  !  I  see  how  it  is  ;  the  owners  of  the  '  Caro 
line1  have  not  been  so  civil  as  they  ought,  and  you 
are  paying  them  a  small  debt  of  thanks !" 

"  That  is  possibly  a  means  of  retaliation  that  might 
suit  your  taste,"  said  Wilder,  gravely  ;  "  but  which 
is  not  much  in  accordance  with  mine..  The  whole 
of  the  parties  are  utter  strangers  to  me." 

"  Hum  !  Then  I  suppose  you  belong  to  the  ves 
sel  in  the  outer  harbour;  and,  though  you  don't  hate 
your  enemies,  you  love  your  friends  We  must  con- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  167 

trive  the  means  to  coax  the  ladies  to  take  passage 
in  the  slaver." 

"  God  forbid  1" 

"  God  forbid  !  Now  I  think,  friend  Harris,  you  set 
up  the  backstays  of  your  conscience  a  little  too 
taught.  Though  I  cannot,  and  do  not,  agree  with 
you  in  all  you  have  said  concerning  the  '  Royal  Car 
oline,'  I  see  no  reason  to  doubt  but  we  shall  have 
but  one  mind  about  the  other  vessel.  I  call  her  a 
wholesome  looking  and  well  proportioned  craft,  and 
one  that  a  King  might  sail  in  with  comfort." 

"  I  deny  it  not ;  still  I  like  her  not." 

"  Well,  I  am  glad  of  that ;  and,  since  the  matter 
is  fairly  before  us,  master  Harris,  I  have  a  word  or 
two  to  say  concerning  that  very  ship.  I  am  an  old 
sea-dog,  and  one  not  easily  blinded  in  matters  of  the 
trade.  Do  you  not  find  something,  that  is  not  in 
character  for  an  honest  trader,  in  the  manner  in  which 
they  have  laid  that  vessel  at  her  anchors,  without  the 
fort,  and  the  sleepy  look  she  bears,  at  the  same  time 
that  any  one  may  see  she  is  not  built  to  catch  oysters, 
or  to  carry  cattle  to  the  islands  ?" 

"As  you  have  said,  I  think  her  a  wholesome  and 
a  tight-built  ship.  Of  what  evil  practice,  however, 
do  you  suspect  her? — perhaps  she  robs  the  revenue  ?" 

"  Hum  !  I  am  not  sure  it  would  be  pleasant  to 
smuggle  in  such  a  vessel,  though  your  contraband  is 
a  merry  trade,  after  all.  She  has  a  pretty  battery,  as 
well  as  one  can  see  from  this  distance." 

"  I  dare  say  her  owners  are  not  tired  of  her  yet 
and  would  gladly  keep  her  from  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  French." 

"  Well,  well,  I  may  be  wrong ;  but,  unless  sight 
is  going  with  my  years,  all  is  not  as  it  would  be  on 
board  that  slaver,  provided  her  papers  were  true, 
and  she  had  the  lawful  name  to  her  letters  of  marque. 
What  think  you,  honest  Joe,  in  this  matter?" 

Wilder  turned,  impatiently,  and  found  that  the 


168  THE    RED    ROVER. 

landlord  had  entered  the  room,  with  a  step  so  light 
as  to  have  escaped  his  attention,  which  had  heen 
drawn  to  his  companion  with  a  force  that  the  reader 
will  readily  comprehend.  The  air  of  surprise,  with 
which  Joram  regarded  the  .speaker,  was  certainly 
not  affected ;  for  the  question  was  repeated,  and  in 
still  more  definite  terms,  before  he  saw  fit  to  reply. 

"  I  ask  you,  honest  Joe,  if  you  think  the  slaver,  in 
the  outer  harbour  of  this  port,  a  true  man  ?" 

"  You  come  across  one,  Bob,  in  your  bold  way, 
with  such  startling  questions,"  returned  the  publican, 
casting  his  eyes  obliquely  around  him,  as  if  he  would 
fain  make  sure  of  the  character  of  the  audience  to 
which  he  spoke,  "  such  stirring  opinions,  that  really 
I  am  often  non-plushed  to  know  how  to  get  the  ideas 
together,  to  make  a  saving  answer." 

"  It  is  droll  enough,  truly,  to  see  the  landlord  of 
the  '  Foul  Anchor'  dumb-foundered,"  returned  the 
old  man,  with  perfect  composure  in  mien  and  eye. 
"  I  ask  you,  if  you  do  not  suspect  something  wrong 
about  that  slaver  ?" 

"  Wrong !  Good  heavens,  mister  Robert,  recollect 
what  you  are  saying.  I  would  not,  for  the  custom 
of  his  Majesty's  Lord  High  Admiral,  have  any  dis 
couraging  words  be  uttered  in  my  house  against  the 
reputation  of  any  virtuous  and  fair-dealing  slavers  ! 
The  Lord  protect  me  from  blacking  the  character  of 
any  honest  subject  of  the  King !" 

"  Do  you  see  nothing  wrong,  worthy  and  tender 
Joram,  about  the  ship  in  the  outer  harbour  ?"  re 
peated  mister  Robert,  without  moving  eye,  limb,  or 
muscle. 

"  Well,  since  you  press  me  so  hard  for  an  opinion, 
and  seeing  that  you  are  a  customer  who  pays  freely 
for  what  he  orders,  I  will  say,  that,  if  there  is  any 
thing  unreasonable,  or  even  illegal,  in  the  deportment 
of  the  gentlemen" 

"  You  sail  so  nigh  the  wind,  friend  Joram,"  coolly 


THE    RED    ROVER.  169 

interrupted  the  old  man,  "  as  to  keep  every  thing 
shaking.  Just  bethink  you  of  a  plain  answer :  Have 
you  seen  any  thing  wrong  about  the  slaver?" 

"  Nothing,  on  rny  conscience,  then,"  said  the  pub 
lican,  puffing  not  unlike  a  cetaceous  fish  that  had 
come  to  the  surface  to  breathe ;  "  as  I  am  an  un 
worthy  sinner,  sitting  under  the  preaching  of  good 
and  faithful  Dr  Dogma,  nothing — nothing," 

"  No  !  Then  are  you  a  duller  man  than  I  had  rated 
you  at  i  Do  you  suspect  nothing?" 

"  Heaven  protect  me  from  suspicions  !  The  devil 
besets  all  our  minds  with  doubts ;  but  weak,  and  evil 
inclined,  is  he  who  submits  to  them.  The  officers 
and  crew  of  that  ship  are  free  drinkers,  and  as  gen 
erous  as  princes  :  Moreover,  as  they  never  forget  to 
clear  the  score  before  they  leave  the  house,  1  call 
them — honest !" 

"  And  I  call  them — pirates  !" 

"  Pirates  !"  echoed  Joram,  fastening  his  eye,  with 
marked  distrust,  on  the  countenance  of  the  attentive 
Wilder.  "  *  Pirate'  is  a  harsh  word,  mister  Robert, 
and  should  not  be  thrown  in  any  gentleman's  face, 
without  testimony  enough  to  clear  one  in  an  action 
of  defamation,  should  such  a  thing  get  fairly  before 
twelve  sworn  and  conscientious  men.  But  I  sup 
pose  you  know  what  you  say,  and  before  whom  you 
say  it." 

"I  do ;  and  now,  as  it  seems  that  your  opinion  in 
this  matter  amounts  to  just  nothing  at  all,  you  will 
please" 

"  To  do  any  thing  you  order,"  cried  Joram,  very 
evidently  delighted  to  change  the  subject. 

"  To  go  and  ask  the  customers  below  if  they  are 
dry,"  continued  the  other,  beckoning  for  the  publi 
can  to  retire  by  the  way  he  entered,  with  the  air  of 
one  who  felt  certain  of  being  obeyed.  As  soon  as 
the  door  was  closed  on  the  retiring  landlord,  he  turn 
ed  to  his  remaining  companion,  and  continued,  "  You 
P 


170  THE    RED    ROVER 

seem  as  much  struck  aback  as  unbelieving  Joe  him 
self,  at  what  you  have  just  heard." 

44  It  is  a  harsh  suspicion,  and  should  be  well  sup 
ported,  old  man,  before  you  venture  to  repeat  it. 
What  pirate  has  lately  been  heard  of  on  this  coast?'* 

44  There  is  the  well-known  Red  Rover,"  returned 
the  other,  dropping  his  voice,  and  casting  a  furtive 
look  around  him,  as  if  even  he  thought  extraordi 
nary  caution  was  necessary  in  uttering  the  formid 
able  name. 

4  But  he  is  said  to  keep  chiefly  in  the  Caribbean 
Sea." 

44  He  is  a  man  to  be  any  where,  and  every  where. 
The  King  would  pay  him  well  who  put  the  rogue 
into  the  hands  of  the  law." 

44  A  thing  easier  planned  than  executed,"  Wilder 
thoughtfully  answered. 

44  That  is  as  it  may  be.  I  am  an  old  fellow,  and 
fitter  to  point  out  the  way  than  to  go  ahead.  But 
you  are  like  a  newly  fitted  ship,  with  all  your  rigging 
tight,  and  your  spars  without  a  warp  in  them.  What 
say  you  to  make  your  fortune  by  selling  the  knaves 
to  the  King  ?  It  is  only  giving  the  devil  his  own  a  few 
months  sooner  or  later." 

Wilder  started,  and  turned  away  from  his  compan 
ion  like  one  who  was  little  pleased  by  the  manner  in 
which  he  expressed  himself.  Perceiving  the  neces 
sity  of  a  reply,  however,  he  demanded, — 

44  And  what  reason  have  you  for  believing  your 
suspicions  true  ?  or  what  means  have  you  for  effect 
ing  your  object,  if  true,  in  the  absence  of  the  royal 
cruisers  ?" 

44 1  cannot  swear  that  I  am  right ;  but,  if  sailing  on 
the  wrong  tack,  we  can  only  go  about,  when  we  find 
out  the  mistake.  As  to  means,  I  confess  they  are 
easier  named  than  mustered." 

44  Go,  go  ;  this  is  idle  talk  ;  a  mere  whim  of  your 
old  brain,"  said  Wilder,  coldly ;  44  and  the  less  &aid 


THE    RED    ROVER.  171 

the  soonest  mended.  All  this  time  we  are  forgetting 
our  proper  business.  T  am  half  inclined  to  think. 
mister  Robert,  you  are  holding  out  false  lights,  in  or 
der  to  get  rid  of  the  duty  for  which  you  are  already 
half  paid." 

There  was  a  look  of  satisfaction  in  the  counte 
nance  of  the  old  tar,  while  Wilder  was  speaking,  that 
might  have  struck  his  companion,  had  not  the  young 
man  risen,  while  speaking,  to  pace  the  narrow  room, 
with  a  thoughtful  and  hurried  step. 

"  Well,  well,"  the  former  rejoined,  endeavouring 
to  disguise  his  evident  contentment,  in  his  customa 
ry,  selfish,  but  shrewd  expression,  "  I  am  an  old 
dreamer,  and  often  have  I  thought  myself  swimming 
in  the  sea  when  I  have  been  safe  moored  on  dry 
land  !  I  believe  there  must  soon  be  a  reckoning  with 
the  devil,  in  order  that  each  may  take  his  share  of 
my  poor  carcass,  and  I  be  left  the  Captain  of  my 
own  ship.  Now  for  your  Honour's  orders." 

Wilder  returned  to  his  seat,  and  disposed  himself 
to  give  the  necessary  instructions  to  his  confederate, 
in  order  that  he  might  counteract  all  he  had  already 
said  in  favour  of  the  outward-bound  vessel. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


-  "The  man  is,  notwithstanding,  sufficient  ;  —  three  thousand 
ducats  ;  —  I  think  I  may  take  his  bond."  —  Merchant  of  Fenice. 

As  the  day  advanced,  the  appearances  of  a  fresh 
sea  breeze  setting  in  gradually  grew  stronger  ;  and, 
with  the  increase  of  the  wind,  were  to  be  seen  all 
the  symptoms  of  an  intention  to  leave  the  harbour 
on  the  part  of  the  Bristol  trader.  The  sailing  of  a 
large  ship  was  an  event  of  much  more  importance 
in  an  American  port,  sixty  years  ago,  than  at  the 


172  THE    RED    ROVER 

present  hour,  when  a  score  is  frequently  seen  to  ar 
rive  and  depart  from  one  haven  in  a  single  day.  Al 
though  claiming  to  be  inhabitants  of  one  of  the  prin 
cipal  towns  of  the  colony,  the  good  people  of  New 
port  did  not  witness  the  movements  on  board  the 
4  Caroline11  with  that  species  of  indolent  regard 
which  is  the  fruit  of  satiety  in  sights  as  well  as  w 
graver  things,  and  with  which,  in  the  course  of  time, 
the  evolutions  of  even  a  fleet  come  to  be  contempla 
ted.  On  the  contrary,  the  wharves  were  crowded 
with  boys,  and  indeed  with  idlers  of  every  growth. 
Even  many  of  the  more  considerate  and  industrious 
of  the  citizens  were  seen  loosening  the  close  grasp 
they  usually  kept  on  the  precious  minutes,  and  al 
lowing  them  to  escape  uncounted,  though  not  en 
tirely  unheeded,  as  they  yielded  to  the  ascendency 
of  curiosity  over  interest,  and  strayed  from  their 
shops,  and  their  work-yards,  to  gaze  upon  the  noble 
spectacle  of  a  moving  ship. 

The  tardy  manner  in  which  the  crew  of  the 
rt  Caroline"  made  their  preparations,  however,  ex 
hausted  the  patience  of  more  than  one  time-saving 
citizen.  Quite  as  many  of  the  better  sort  of  the 
spectators  had  left  the  wharves  as  still  remained, 
and  yet  the  vessel  spread  to  the  breeze  but  the  soli 
tary  sheet  of  canvas  which  has  been  already  named. 
Instead  of  answering  the  wishes  of  hundreds  of 
weary  eyes,  the  noble  ship  was  seen  sheering  about 
her  anchor,  inclining  from  the  passing  wind,  as  her 
bows  were  alternately  turned  to  the  right  and  to  the 
left,  like  a  restless  courser  restrained  by  the  grasp  of 
the  groom,  chafing  his  bit,  and  with  difficulty  keep 
ing  those  limbs  upon  the  earth  with  which  he  is 
shortly  to  bound  around  the  ring.  After  more  than 
an  hour  of  unaccountable  delay,  a  rumour  was  spread 
among  the  crowd  that  an  accident  had  occurred,  by 
which  some  important  individual,  belonging  to  the 
complement  of  the  vessel,  was  severely  injured. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  173 

But  this  rumour  passed  away  also,  and  was  nearly 
forgotten,  when  a  sheet  of  flame  was  seen  issuing 
from  a  how-port  of  the  "  Caroline,"  driving  before 
it  a  cloud  of  curling  and  mounting  smoke,  and  which 
was  succeeded  by  the  instant  roar  of  a  discharge  of 
artillery.  A  bustle,  like  that  which  usually  precedes 
the  immediate  announcement  of  any  long  attended 
event,  took  place  among  the  weary  expectants  on 
the  land,  and  every  one  now  felt  certain,  that,  what 
ever  might  have  occurred,  it  was  settled  that  the  ship 
should  proceed. 

Of  all  this  delay,  the  several  movements  on  board, 
the  subsequent  signal  of  sailing,  and  of  the  impa 
tience  in  the  crowd,  Wilder  had  been  a  grave  and 
close  observer.  Posted  with  his  back  against  the 
upright  fluke  of  a  condemned  anchor,  on  a  wharf  a 
little  apart  from  that  occupied  by  most  of  the  other 
spectators,  he  had  remained  an  hour  in  the  same  po 
sition,  scarcely  bending  his  look  to  his  right  hand  or 
to  his  left.  When  the  gun  was  fired  he  started,  not 
with  the  nervous  impulse  which  had  made  a  hundred 
others  do  precisely  the  same  thing,  but  to  turn  an 
anxious  and  rapid  glance  along  the  streets  that  came 
within  the  range  of  his  eye.  From  this  hasty  and 
uneasy  examination,  he  soon  returned  into  his  former 
reclining  posture,  though  the  wandering  of  his  glan 
ces,  and.  the  whole  expression  of  his  meaning  coun 
tenance,  would  have  told  an  observer  that  some 
event,  to  which  the  young  mariner  looked  forward 
with  excessive  interest,  was  on  the  eve  of  its  con 
summation.  As  minute  after  minute,  however,  roll 
ed  by,  his  composure  was  gradually  restored,  and  a 
smile  of  satisfaction  lighted  his  features,  while  his 
lips  moved  like  those  of  a  man  who  expressed  his 
pleasure  in  a  soliloquy.  It  was  in  the  midst  of  these 
agreeable  meditations,  that  the  sound  of  many  voices 
met  his  ears ;  and,  turning,  he  saw  a  large  party 
within  a  few  yards  of  where  he  stood.  He  was  not 

P2 


174  THE   RED    ROVER. 

slow  to  detect  among  them  the  forms  of  Mrs  Wylty 
and  Gertrude,  attired  in  such  a  manner  as  to  leave 
no  doubt  that  they  were  at  length  on  the  eve  of 
embarking. 

A  cloud,  driving  before  the  sun,  does  not  produce 
a  greater  change  in  the  aspect  of  the  earth,  than 
was  wrought  in  the  expression  of  Wilder's  counte 
nance,  by  this  unexpected  sight.  He  was  just  im 
plicitly  relying  on  the  success  of  an  artifice,  which 
though  sufficiently  shallow,  he  flattered  himself  was 
deep  enough  to  act  on  the  timidity  and  credulity  of 
woman  ;  and,  now,  was  he  suddenly  awoke  from  his 
self-gratulation,  to  prove  the  utter  disappointment  of 
his  hopes.  Muttering  a  suppressed  but  deep  execra 
tion  against  the  perfidy  of  his  confederate,  he  shrunk 
as  much  as  possible  behind  the  fluke  of  the  anchor, 
and  fastened  his  eyes  sullenly  on  the  ship. 

The  party  which  accompanied  the  travellers  to 
the  water  side  was,  like  all  other  parties  made  to 
take  leave  of  valued  friends,  taciturn  and  restless. 
Those  who  spoke,  did  so  with  a  rapid  and  impatient 
utterance,  as  though  they  wished  to  hurry  the  very 
separation  they  regretted ;  and  the  features  of  those 
who  said  nothing  looked  full  of  meaning.  Wilder 
heard  several  affectionate  and  warm-hearted  wishes 
given,  and  promises  extorted,  from  youthful  voices, 
all  of  which  were  answered  in  the  soft  and  mournful 
tones  of  Gertrude,  and  yet  he  obstinately  refused  to 
bend  even  a  stolen  look  in  the  direction  of  the 
speakers. 

At  length,  a  footstep,  within  a  few  feet  of  him,  in 
duced  a  hasty  glance  aside.  His  eye  met  that  of 
Mrs  Wyllys.  The  lady  started,  as  well  as  our  young 
mariner,  at  the  sudden  recognition ;  but,  recovering 
her  self-possession,  she  observed,  with  admirable 
coolness, — 

"  You  perceive,  sir,  that  we  are  not  to  be  deter- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  175 

red  from  an  enterprise  once  undertaken,  by  any 
ordinary  dangers." 

"  I  hope  you  may  not  have  reason,  Madam,  to  re 
pent  your  courage." 

A  short,  but  painfully  thoughtful  pause  succeeded, 
on  the  part  of  Mrs  Wyllys.  Casting  a  look  behind 
her,  in  order  to  ascertain  that  she  was  not  overheard, 
she  drew  a  step  nigher  to  the  youth,  and  said,  in  a 
voice  even  lower  than  before, — 

"  It  is  not  yet  too  late :  Give  me  but  the  shadow 
of  a  reason  for  what  you  have  said,  and  I  will  wait 
for  another  ship.  My  feelings  are  foolishly  inclined 
to  believe  you,  young  man,  though  my  judgment 
tells  me  there  is  but  too  much  probability  that  you 
trifle  with  our  womanish  fears." 

"Trifle!  On  such  a  matter  I  would  trifle  with 
none  of  your  sex ;  and  least  of  all  with  you  !" 

"  This  is  extraordinary !  For  a  stranger  it  is  inex 
plicable  !  Have  you  a  fact,  or  a  reason,  which  I  can 
plead  to  the  friends  of  my  young  charge  ?" 

"  You  know  them  already." 

"  Then,  sir,  am  I  compelled,  against  my  will,  to 
believe  your  motive  is  one  that  you  have  some  pow 
erful  considerations  for  wishing  to  conceal,"  coolly 
returned  the  disappointed  and  even  mortified  govern 
ess.  "  For  your  own  sake,  I  hope  it  is  not  unwor 
thy.  I  thank  you  for  all  that  is  well  intended  ;  if  you 
have  spoken  aught  which  is  otherwise,  I  forgive  it." 

They  parted,  with  the  restraint  of  people  who 
feel  that  distrust  exists  between  them.  Wilder  again 
shrunk  behind  his  cover,  maintaining  a  proud  posi 
tion,  and  a  countenance  that  was  grave  to  austerity. 
His  situation,  however,  compelled  him  to  become 
an  auditor  of  most  of  what  was  now  said. 

The  principal  speaker,  as  was  meet  on  such  an  oc 
casion,  was  Mrs  de  Lacey,  whose  voice  was  often 
raised  in  sage  admonitions  and  professional  opinions 
blended  in  a  manner  that  all  would  admire,  though 


176  THE    RED    ROVER. 

none  of  her  sex,  but  they  who  had  enjoyed  the  sin 
gular  good  fortune  of  sharing  in  the  intimate  confi 
dence  of  a  flag-officer,  might  ever  hope  to  imitate. 

"And  now,  my  dearest  niece,"  concluded  the 
relict  of  the  Rear-Admiral,  after  exhausting  her 
breath,  and  her  store  of  wisdom,  in  numberless  ex 
hortations  to  be  careful  of  her  health,  to  write  often 
to  repeat  the  actual  words  of  her  private  message 
to  her  brother  the  General,  to  keep  below  in  gales 
of  wind,  to  be  particular  in  the  account  of  any  ex 
traordinary  sight  she  might  have  the  good  fortune 
to  behold  in  the  passage,  and,  in  short,  in  all  other 
matters  likely  to  grow  out  of  such  a  leave-taking ; 
u  and  now,  my  dearest  niece,  I  commit  you  to  the 
mighty  deep,  and  One  far  mightier — to  Him  who 
made  it.  Banish  from  your  thoughts  all  recollections 
of  any  thing  you  may  have  heard  concerning  the 
imperfections  of  the  '  Royal  Caroline  ;'  for  the  opin 
ion  of  the  aged  seaman,  who  sailed  with  the  lament 
ed  Admiral,  assures  me  they  are  all  founded  in  mis 
take."  ["  The  treacherous  villain !"  muttered  Wil 
der.]  "  Who  spoke  ?"  said  Mrs  de  Lacey ;  but,  re 
ceiving  no  reply,  she  continued ;  "  His  opinion  is 
also  exactly  in  accordance  with  my  own,  on  more 
mature  reflection.  To  be  sure,  it  is  a  culpable  ne 
glect  to  depend  on  bobstays  and  gammonings  for  the 
security  of  the  bow-sprit,  but  still  even  this  is  an 
oversight  which,  as  my  old  friend  has  just  told  me, 
may  be  remedied  by  4  preventers  and  lashings.'  I 
have  written  a  note  to  the  Master, — Gertrude,  my 
dear,  be  careful  ever  to  call  the  Master  of  the  ship 
Mister  Nichols  ;  for  none,  but  such  as  bear  his  Ma 
jesty's  commission,  are  entitled  to  be  termed  Cap 
tains  ;  it  is  an  honourable  station,  and  should  always 
be  treated  with  reverence,  it  being,  in  fact,  next  in 
rank  to  a  flag-officer, — I  have  written  a  note  to  the 
Master  on  the  subject,  and  he  will  see  the  neglect 
repaired  and  so,  my  love,  God  bless  you  ;  take  the 


THE    RED    ROVER.  177 

best  possible  care  of  yourself;  write  me  by  every 
opportunity  ;  remember  my  kindest  love  to  your  fa 
ther,  and  be  very  minute  in  your  description  of  the 
whales.11 

The  eyes  of  the  worthy  and  kind-hearted  widow 
were  filled  with  tears  as  she  ended ;  and  there  was  a 
touch  of  nature,  in  the  tremour  of  her  voice,  that 
produced  a  sympathetic  feeling  in  all  who  heard  her 
words.  The  final  parting  took  place  under  the  im 
pression  of  these  kind  emotions  ;  and,  before  another 
minute,  the  oars  of  the  boat,  which  bore  the  travel 
lers  to  the  ship,  were  heard  in  the  water. 

Wilder  listened  to  the  well-known  sounds  with  a 
feverish  interest,  that  he  possibly  might  have  found 
it  difficult  to  explain  even  to  himself.  A  light  touch 
on  the  elbow  first  drew  his  attention  from  the  disa 
greeable  subject.  Surprised  at  the  circumstance,  he 
faced  the  intruder,  who  appeared  to  be  a  lad  of  ap 
parently  some  fifteen  years.  A  second  look  was  ne 
cessary,  to  tell  the  abstracted  young  mariner  that  he 
again  saw  the  attendant  of  the  Rover ;  he  who  has 
already  been  introduced  in  our  pages  under  the  name 
of  Roderick. 

"  Your  pleasure?"  he  demanded,  when  his  amaze 
ment,  at  being  thus  interrupted  in  his  meditations, 
had  a  little  subsided. 

"  I  am  directed  to  put  these  orders  into  your  own 
hands,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Orders  !"  repeated  the  young  man,  with  a  curling 
lip.  "  The  authority  should  be  respected  which  is 
sues  its  mandates  through  such  a  messenger." 

"  The  authority  is  one  that  it  has  ever  proved 
dangerous  to  disobey,"  gravely  returned  the  boy. 

"  Indeed  !  Then  will  I  look  into  the  contents  with 
out  delay,  lest  I  fall  into  some  fatal  negligence.  Are 
you  bid  to  wait  an  answer?" 

On  raising  his  eyes  from  the  note  the  other  had 
given  hiii,  after  breaking  its  seal,  the  young  man 


178  THE    RED    ROVER. 

found  that  the  messenger  had  already  vanished.  Per 
ceiving  how  useless  it  would  be  to  pursue  so  light  a 
form,  amid  the  mazes  of  lumber  that  loaded  the 
wharf,  and  most  of  the  adjacent  shore,  he  opened 
the  letter  and  read  as  follows  : — 

"  An  accident  has  disabled  the  Master  of  the  out- 
"  ward-bound  ship  called  the  'Royal  Caroline!'  Her 
"  consignee  is  reluctant  to  intrust  her  to  the  officer 
"  next  in  rank ;  but  sail  she  must.  I  find  she  has 
"  credit  for  her  speed.  If  you  have  any  credentials 
"  of  character  and  competency,  profit  by  the  occasion, 
"  and  earn  the  station  you  are  finally  destined  to  fill. 
"  You  have  been  named  to  some  who  are  interested, 
"  and  you  have  been  sought  diligently.  If  this  reach 
"  you  in  season,  be  on  the  alert,  and  be  decided. 
"  Show  no  surprise  at  any  co-operation  you  may  un- 
"  expectedly  meet.  My  agents  are  more  numerous 
"  than  you  had  believed.  The  reason  is  obvious  ; 
"  gold  is  yellow,  though  I  am 

"  RED." 

The  signature,  the  matter,  and  the  style  of  this 
letter,  left  Wilder  in  no  doubt  as  to  its  author.  Cast 
ing  a  glance  around  him,  he  sprang  into  a  skiff;  and, 
before  the  boat  of  the  travellers  had  reached  the 
ship,  that  of  Wilder  had  skimmed  the  water  over 
half  the  distance  between  her  and  the  land.  As  he 
plied  his  skulls  with  vigorous  and  skilful  arms,  he 
soon  stood  upon  her  decks.  Forcing  his  way  among 
the  crowd  of  attendants  from  the  shore,  that  are  apt 
to  cumber  a  departing  ship,  he  reached  the  part  of 
the  vessel  where  a  circle  of  busy  and  anxious  faces 
told  him  he  should  find  those  most  concerned  in  her 
fate.  Until  now,  he  had  hardly  breathed  clearly, 
much  less  reflected  on  the  character  of  his  sudden 
enterprise.  It  was  too  late,  however,  to  retreat,  had 
he  oeen  so  disposed,  or  to  abandon  his  purpose,  with- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  179 

out  incurring  the  hazard  of  exciting  dangerous  sus 
picions.  A  single  instant  served  to  recal  his  thoughts, 
ere  he  demanded,, — 

"  Do  I  see  the  owner  of  the  '  Caroline  ?'  " 

"  The  ship  is  consigned  to  our  house,'1  returned  a 
sedate,  deliberate,  and  shrewd-looking  individual,  in 
the  attire  of  a  wealthy,  but  also  of  a  thrifty,  trader. 

"  I  have  heard  that  you  have  need  of  an  experi 
enced  officer." 

"  Experienced  officers  are  comfortable  things  to 
an  owner  in  a  vessel  of  value,"  returned  the  mer 
chant.  "  I  hope  the  c  Caroline'  is  not  without  her 
portion." 

"  But  I  had  heard,  one  to  supply  her  Commander's 
place,  for  a  time,  was  greatly  needed  ?" 

"  If  her  Commander  were  incapable  of  doing  his 
duty,  such  a  thing  might  certainly  come  to  pass.  Are 
you  seeking  a  birth?" 

"  I  have  come  to  apply  for  the  vacancy." 

"  It  would  have  been  wiser,  had  you  first  ascer 
tained  there  existed  a  vacancy  to  fill.  But  you  have 
not  come  to  ask  authority,  in  such  a  ship  as  this, 
without  sufficient  testimony  of  your  ability  and  fit 
ness  ?" 

u  I  hope  these  documents  may  prove  satisfactory," 
said  Wilder,  placing  in  his  hands  a  couple  of  unseal 
ed  letters. 

During  the  time  the  other  was  reading  the  certifi 
cates,  for  such  they  proved  to  be,  his  shrewd  eye 
was  looking  over  his  spectacles  at  the  subject  of  their 
contents,  and  returning  to  the  paper,  in  alternate 
glances,  in  such  a  way  as  to  render  it  very  evident 
that  he  was  endeavouring  to  assure  himself  of  the 
fidelity  of  the  words  he  read,  by  actual  observation. 

"  Ham  !  This  is  certainly  very  excellent  testimony 
in  your  favour, young  gentleman;  and — coming,  as  it 
does,  from  two  so  respectable  and  affluent  houses  as 
Spriggs,  Boggs  and  Tweed,  and  Hammer  and  Hacket 


80  THE    RED    ROVER. 

• — entitled  to  great  credit.  A  richer  and  broader 
bottomed  firm  than  the  former,  is  not  to  be  found  in 
all  his  Majesty's  colonies ;  and  I  have  great  respecl 
for  the  latter,  though  envious  people  do  say  that  they 
over-trade  a  little." 

"  Since,  then,  you  esteem  them  so  highly,  I  shall 
not  be  considered  hasty  in  presuming  on  their  friend 
ship.11 

"  Not  at  all,  not  at  all,  Mr a — a11 — glancing 

his  eye  again  into  one  of  the  letters  ;  "  ay — Mr  Wil 
der;  there  is  never  any  presumption  in  a  fair  offer, 
in  a  matter  of  business.  Without  offers  to  sell  and 
offers  to  buy,  our  property  would  never  change 
hands,  sir,  ha  !  ha  !  ha!  never  change  to  a  profit,  you 
know,  young  gentleman." 

"  I  am  aware  of  the  truth  of  what  you  say,  and 
therefore  I  beg  leave  to  repeat  my  offer." 

"  All  perfectly  fair  and  perfectly  reasonable.  But 
you  cannot  expect  us,  Mr  Wilder,  to  make  a  vacancy 
expressly  for  you  to  fill,  though  it  must  be  admitted 
that  your  papers  are  excellent — as  good  as  the  note 
of  Spriggs,  Boggs  and  Tweed  themselves — not  to 
make  a  vacancy  expressly" 

"  I  had  supposed  the  Master  of  the  ship  so  serious 
ly  injured" 

"  Injured,  but  not  seriously,"  interrupted  the  wary 
consignee,  glancing  his  eye  around  at  sundry  ship 
pers,  and  one  or  two  spectators,  who  were  within 
ear-shot ;  "  injured  certainly,  but  not  so  much  as  to 
quit  the  vessel.  No,  no,  gentlemen  ;  the  good  ship 
1  Royal  Caroline'  proceeds  on  her  voyage,  as  usual, 
under  the  care  of  that  old  and  well-tried  mariner, 
Nicholas  Nichols." 

"  Then,  sir,  am  I  sorry  to  have  intruded  on  your 
time  at  so  busy  a  moment,"  said  Wilder,  bowing 
with  a  disappointed  air,  and  falling  back  a  step,  as  if 
about  to  withdraw. 

"  Not  so  hasty — not  so  hasty  ;  bargains  are  not  to 


THE    RED    ROVER.  181 

be  concluded,  young  man,  as  you  let  a  sail  fall  from 
the  yard.  It  is  possible  that  your  services  may  be 
of  use,  though  not  perhaps  in  the  responsible  situa 
tion  of  Master.  At  what  rate  do  you  value  the  title 
of  l  Captain?'" 

"  I  care  little  for  the  name,  provided  the  trust  and 
the  authority  are  mine." 

"  A  very  sensible  youth !"  muttered  the  discreet 
merchant ;  "  and  one  who  knows  how  to  distinguish 
between  the  shadow  and  the  substance  !  A  gentle 
man  of  your  good  sense  and  character  must  know, 
however,  that  the  reward  is  always  proportioned  to 
the  nominal  dignity.  If  I  were  acting  for  myself,  in 
this  business,  the  case  would  be  materially  changed, 
but,  as  an  agent,  it  is  a  duty  to  consult  the  interest 
of  my  principal." 

"  The  reward  is  of  no  account,"  said  Wilder,  with 
an  eagerness  that  might  have  overreached  itself,  had 
not  the  individual  with  whom  he  was  bargaining 
fastened  his  thoughts  on  the  means  of  cheapening  the 
other's  services,  with  a  steadiness  from  which  they 
rarely  swerved,  when  bent  on  so  commendable  an 
object  as  saving :  "  I  seek  for  service." 

"  Then  service  you  shall  have  ;  nor  will  you  find 
us  niggardly  in  the  operation.  You  cannot  expect 
an  advance,  for  a  run  of  no  more  than  a  month  ;  nor 
any  perquisites  in  the  way  of  stowage,  since  the  ship 
is  now  full  to  her  hatches ;  nor,  indeed,  any  great 
price  in  the  shape  of  wages,  since  we  take  you  chief 
ly  to  accommodate  so  worthy  a  youth,  and  to  hon 
our  the  recommendations  of  so  respectable  a  house 
as  Spriggs,  Boggs  and  Tweed ;  but  you  will  find  us 
liberal,  excessive  liberal.  Stay — how  know  we  that 
you  are  the  person  named  in  the  invoi — I  should  say, 
recommendation  ?" 

"  Does  not  the  fact  of  possessing  the  letters  estab 
lish  my  character?" 

"  It  might  in  peaceable  times ;  when  the  realm 
O 


182  THE    RED    ROVER. 

was  not  scourged  by  war.  A  description  of  the  pe) 
son  should  have  accompanied  the  documents,  lik» 
a  letter  of  advice  with  the  bill.  As  we  take  you  a< 
some  risk  in  this  matter,  you  are  not  to  be  surpriset 
that  the  price  will  be  affected  by  the  circumstance 
We  are  liberal ;  I  believe  no  house  in  the  colonies 
pays  more  liberally ;  but  then  we  have  a  characte 
for  prudence  to  lose." 

"  I  have  already  said,  sir,  that  the  price  shall  no 
interrupt  our  bargain." 

"  Good :  There  is  pleasure  in  transacting  business 
on  such  liberal  and  honourable  views !  And  yet  j 
wish  a  notarial  seal,  or  a  description  of  the  person 
had  accompanied  the  letters.  This  is  the  signature 
of  Robert  Tweed ;  I  know  it  well,  and  would  b* 
glad  to  see  it  at  the  bottom  of  a  promissory  note  fo, 
ten  thousand  pounds  ;  that  is,  with  a  responsible  en 
dorser ;  but  the  uncertainty  is  much  against  vou. 
pecuniary  interest,  young  man,  since  we  become,  a» 
it  were,  underwriters  that  you  are  the  individua 
named.1' 

"  In  order  that  your  mind  may  be  at  ease  on  thi> 
subject,  Mr  Bale,"  said  a  voice  from  among  the  little 
circle  that  was  listening,  with  characteristic  interest 
to  the  progress  of  the  bargain,  "  I  can  testify,  01 
should  it  be  necessary,  qualify  to  the  person  of  th» 
gentleman." 

Wilder  turned  in  some  haste,  and  in  no  littlt 
astonishment,  to  discover  the  acquaintance  whon. 
chance  had  thrown  in  so  extraordinary,  and  possibly 
in  so  disagreeable  a  manner,  across  his  path ;  anc 
that,  too,  in  a  portion  of  the  country  where  he  wish 
ed  to  believe  himself  an  entire  stranger.  To  his  ut 
ter  amazement,  he  found  that  the  new  speaker  wa> 
no  other  than  the  landlord  of  the  "  Foul  Anchor. "- 
Honest  Joe  stood  with  a  perfectly  composed  look 
and  with  a  face  that  might  readily  have  been  trustee 
to  confront  a  far  more  imposing  tribunal, 


THE   RED   ROVER.  183 

the  result  of  his  testimony  on  the  seemingly  waver- 
ing  mind  of  the  consignee. 

"  Ah  !  you  have  lodged  the  gentleman  for  a  time 
and  you  can  testify  that  he  is  a  punctual  paymaster 
and  a  civil  inmate.  But  I  want  documents  fit  to 
be  filed  with  the  correspondence  of  the  owners  at 
home." 

"  I  know  not  what  sort  of  testimony  you  think  fit 
for  such  good  company,"  returned  the  unmoved  pub- 
lican,  holding  up  his  hand  with  an  air  of  admirable 
innocence;  "but,  if  the  sworn  declaration  of  a 
housekeeper  is  of  the  sort  you  need,  you  are  a  ma 
gistrate,  and  may  begin  to  say  over  the  words  at 
once." 

"  Not  I,  not  I,  man.  Though  a  magistrate,  the 
oath  is  informal,  and  would  not  be  binding  in  law. 
But  what  do  you  know  of  the  person  in  question?" 

"  That  he  is  as  good  a  seaman,  for  his  years,  as 
any  in  the  colonies.  There  may  be  some  of  more 
practice  and  greater  experience ;  I  dare  say  such  are 
to  be  found ;  but  as  to  activity,  watchfulness,  and 
prudence,  it  would  be  hard  to  find  his  equal — espe 
cially  for  prudence." 

"  You  then  are  quite  certain  that  this  person  is 
the  individual  named  in  these  papers  ?" 

Joram  received  the  certificates  with  the  same  ad 
mirable  coolness  he  had  maintained  from  the  com 
mencement,  and  prepared  to  read  them  with  the 
most  scrupulous  care.  In  order  to  effect  this  neces 
sary  operation,  he  had  to  put  on  his  spectacles,  (for 
the  landlord  of  the  "  Foul  Anchor"  was  in  the  wane 
of  life),  and  Wilder  fancied  that  he  stood,  during  the 
process,  a  notable  example  of  how  respectable  de 
pravity  may  become,  in  appearance,  when  supported 
by  a  reverend  air. 

"  This  is  all  very  true,  Mr  Bale,"  continued  the 
publican,  removing  his  glasses,  and  returning  the  pa 
pers.  "  They  have  forgotten  to  say  any  thing  of  the 


184  THE    RED    ROVER. 

manner  in  which  he  saved  the  '  Lively  Nancy,'  off 
Ilatteras,  and  how  he  run  the  '  Peggy  and  Dolly1 
over  the  Savannah  bar,  without  a  pilot,  blowing 
great  guns  from  the  northward  and  eastward  at  the 
time ;  but  I,  who  followed  the  water,  as  you  know, 
in  my  younger  days,  have  often  heard  both  circum 
stances  mentioned  among  sea-faring  men,  and  I  am  a 
judge  of  the  difficulty.  I  have  an  interest  in  this 
ship,  neighbour  Bale,  (for  though  a  rich  man,  and  I 
a  poor  one,  we  are  nevertheless  neighbours) — I  say 
I  have  an  interest  in  this  ship  ;  since  she  is  a  vessel 
that  seldom  quits  Newport  without  leaving  some 
thing  to  jingle  in  my  pocket,  or  I  should  not  be 
here  to-day,  to  see  her  lift  her  anchor." 

As  the  publican  concluded,  he  gave  audible  evi 
dence  that  his  visit  had  not  gone  unrewarded,  by 
raising  a  music  that  was  no  less  agreeable  to  the  ears 
of  the  thrifty  merchant  than  to  his  own.  The  two 
worthies  laughed  in  an  understanding  way,  and  like 
two  men  who  had  found  a  particular  profit  in  their 
intercourse  with  the  "  Royal  Caroline."  The  lattei 
then  beckoned  Wilder  apart,  and,  after  a  little  fur 
ther  preliminary  discourse,  the  terms  of  the  young 
mariner's  engagement  were  finally  settled.  The 
true  Master  of  the  ship  was  to  remain  on  board, 
both  as  a  security  for  the  insurance,  and  in  order  to 
preserve  her  reputation ;  but  it  was  frankly  admitted 
that  his  hurt,  which  was  no  less  than  a  broken  leg, 
and  which  the  surgeons  were  then  setting,  would 
probably  keep  him  below  for  a  month  to  come. 
During  the  time  he  was  kept  from  his  duty,  his  func 
tions  were  to  be  filled,  in  effect,  by  our  adventurer. 
These  arrangements  occupied  another  hour  of  time, 
and  then  the  consignee  left  the  vessel,  perfectly  sat« 
isfied  with  the  prudent  and  frugal  manner  in  which 
he  had  discharged  his  duty  towards  his  principal. 
Before  stepping  into  the  boat,  however,  with  a  view 
to  be  equally  careful  of  his  own  interests,  he  took 


THE  RED  ROVER.  185 

an  opportunity  to  request  the  publican  to  make  a 
proper  and  legal  affidavit  of  all  that  he  knew,  "  of 
his  own  knowledge,"  concerning  the  officer  just  en 
gaged.  Honest  Joram  was  liberal  of  his  promises  ; 
but,  as  he  saw  no  motive,  now  that  all  was  so  hap 
pily  effected,  for  incurring  useless  risks,  he  contrived 
to  evade  their  fulfilment,  finding,  no  doubt,  his  apol 
ogy  for  this  breach  of  faith  in  the  absolute  poverty 
of  his  information,  when  the  subject  came  to  be  duly 
considered,  and  construed  literally  by  the  terms  re 
quired. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  relate  the  bustle,  the  repara 
tion  of  half-forgotten,  and  consequently  neglected 
business,  the  duns,  good  wishes,  injunctions  to  exe 
cute  commissions  in  some  distant  port,  and  all  the 
confused,  and  seemingly  interminable,  duties  that 
crowd  themselves  into  the  last  ten  minutes  that  pre 
cede  the  sailing  of  a  merchant  vessel,  more  espe 
cially  if  she  is  fortunate,  or  rather  unfortunate 
enough  to  have  passengers.  A  certain  class  of  men 
quit  a  vessel,  in  such  a  situation,  with  the  reluctance 
that  they  would  part  with  any  other  well  establish 
ed  means  of  profit,  creeping  down  her  sides  as  lazily 
as  the  leech,  filled  to  repletion,  rolls  from  his  bloody 
repast.  The  common  seaman,  with  an  attention  di 
vided  by  the  orders  of  the  pilot  and  the  adieus  of 
acquaintances,  runs  in  every  direction  but  the  right 
one,  and,  perhaps  at  the  only  time  in  his  life,  seems 
ignorant  of  the  uses  of  the  ropes  he  has  so  long  been 
accustomed  to  handle.  Notwithstanding  all  these 
vexatious  delays,  and  customary  incumbrances,  the 
"  Royal  Caroline"  finally  got  rid  of  all  her  visiters 
but  one,  and  Wilder  was  enabled  to  indulge  in  a 
pleasure  that  a  seaman  alone  can  appreciate — that 
of  clear  decks  and  an  orderly  ship's  company. 
Q2 


186  THE   RED   ROVER. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

-   -  "  Good :   Speak  to  the  mariners .  Fall  to't  yarely,  or  we  ru> 
ourselves  aground." — Tempest. 

A  GOOD  deal  of  the  day  had  been  wasted  during 
the  time  occupied  by  the  scenes  just  related.  Thr 
breeze  had  come  in  steady,  but  far  from  fresh.  S» 
soon,  however,  as  Wilder  found  himself  left  withou 
the  molestation  of  idlers  from  the  shore,  and  the  bus» 
interposition  of  the  consignee,  he  cast  his  eyes  abou> 
him,  with  the  intention  of  immediately  submitting 
the  ship  to  its  power.  Sending  for  the  pilot,  he  con, 
municated  his  determination,  and  withdrew  himsel/ 
to  a  part  of  the  deck  whence  he  might  take  a  prope. 
survey  of  the  materials  of  his  new  command,  anc 
where. he  might  reflect  on  the  unexpected  and  extn. 
ordinary  situation  in  which  he  found  himself. 

The  "  Royal  Caroline"  was  not  entirely  withou* 
pretensions  to  the  lofty  name  she  bore.     She  was  • 
vessel  of  that  happy  size  in  which  comfort  and  COL 
venience  had  been  equally  consulted.     The  letter  of 
the  Rover  affirmed  she  had  a  reputation  for  he* 
speed ;  and  her  young  and  intelligent  Commander 
saw,  with  great  inward  satisfaction,  that  she  was  no« 
destitute  of  the  means  of  enabling  him  to  exhibit  al 
her  finest  properties.     A  healthy,  active,  and  skilfu 
crew,  justly  proportioned  spars,  little  top-hampe 
and  an  excellent  trim,  with  a  superabundance  of  liglv 
sails,  offered  all  the  advantages  his  experience  coul* 
suggest.     His  eye  lighted,  as  it  glanced  rapidly  ove*- 
these  several  particulars  of  his  command,  and  hi» 
lips  moved  like  those  of  a  man  who  uttered  an  in 
ward  self-gratulation,  or  who  indulged  in  some  vaum 
that  propriety  suggested  should  go  no  farther  than  hi» 
own  thoughts. 

By  this  time,  the  crew,  under  the  orders  of  th* 


THE    RED    ROVER.  187 

pilot,  were  assembled  at  the  windlass,  and  had  com 
menced  heaving-in  upon  the  cable.  The  labour  was 
of  a  nature  to  exhibit  their  individual  powers,  as  well 
as  their  collective  force,  to  the  greatest  advantage. 
Their  motion  was  simultaneous,  quick,  and  full  of 
muscle.  The  cry  was  clear  and  cheerful.  As  if 
to  feel  his  influence,  our  adventurer  lifted  his  own 
voice,  amid  the  song  of  the  mariners,  in  one  of  those 
sudden  and  inspiriting  calls  with  which  a  sea  officer 
is  wont  to  encourage  his  people.  His  utterance  was 
deep,  animated,  and  full  of  authority.  The  seamen 
started  like  mettled  coursers  when  they  first  hear 
the  signal,  each  man  casting  a  glance  behind  lu'm,  as 
though  he  would  scan  the  qualities  of  his  new  supe 
rior.  Wilder  smiled,  like  one  satisfied  with  his  suc 
cess  ;  and,  turning  to  pace  the  quarter-deck,  he  found 
himself  once  more  confronted  by  the  calm,  consid 
erate,  but  certainly  astonished  eye  of  Mrs  Wyllys. 

"  After  the  opinions  you  were  pleased  to  express 
of  this  vessel,"  said  the  lady,  in  a  manner  of  the 
coldest  irony,  "  I  did  not  expect  to  find  you  filling  a 
place  of  such  responsibility  here." 

"  You  probably  knew,  Madam,"  returned  the 
young  mariner,  "  that  a  sad  accident  had  happened 
to  her  Master?" 

"  I  did ;  and  I  had  heard  that  another  officer  had 
been  found,  temporarily,  to  supply  his  place.  Still, 
I  should  presume,  that,  on  reflection,  you  will  not 
think  it  remarkable  I  am  amazed  in  finding  who  this 
person  is." 

"  Perhaps,  Madam,  you  may  hive  conceived,  from 
our  conversations,  an  unfavourable  opinion  of  my 
professional  skill.  But  I  hope  that  on  this  head  you 
will  place  your  mind  at  ease  ;  for" 

"  You  are  doubtless  a  master  of  the  art !  it  would 
seem,  at  least,  that  no  trifling  danger  can  deter  you 
from  seeking  proper  opportunities  to  display  this 
knowledge.  Are  we  to  have  the  pleasure  of  your 


188  THE    RED    ROVER. 

company  during  the  whole  passage,  or  do  you  leave 
us  at  the  mouth  of  the  port  ?" 

"  I  am  engaged  to  conduct  the  ship  to  the  end  of 
her  voyage." 

"  We  may  then  hope  that  the  danger  you  either 
saw  or  imagined  is  lessened  in  your  judgment,  other 
wise  you  would  not  be  so  ready  to  encounter  it  in 
our  company.1' 

"  You  do  me  injustice,  Madam,"  returned  Wilder, 
with  warmth,  glancing  his  eye  unconsciously  to 
wards  the  grave,  but  deeply  attentive  Gertrude,  as 
he  spoke ;  "  there  is  no  danger  that  I  would  not 
cheerfully  encounter,  to  save  you,  or  this  young  lady, 
from  harm." 

"  Even  this  young  lady  must  be  sensible  of  your 
chivalry !"  Then,  losing  the  constrained  manner 
with  which,  until  now,  she  had  maintained  the  dis 
course,  in  one  more  natural,  and  one  far  more  in 
consonance  with  her  usually  mild  and  thoughtful 
mien,  Mrs  Wyllys  continued,  "  You  have  a  powerful 
advocate,  young  man,  in  the  unaccountable  interest 
which  I  feel  in  your  truth ;  an  interest  that  my  reason 
would  fain  condemn.  As  the  ship  must  need  your 
services,  I  will  no  longer  detain  you.  Opportunities 
cannot  be  wanting  to  enable  us  to  judge  both  of  your 
inclination  and  ability  to  serve  us.  Gertrude,  my 
love,  females  are  usually  considered  as  incumbrances 
in  a  vessel ;  more  particularly  when  there  is  any  del 
icate  duty  to  perform,  like  this  before  us," 

Gertrude  started,  blushed,  and  proceeded,  after 
her  governess,  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  quarter 
deck,  followed  by  an  expressive  look  from  our  ad 
venturer,  which  seemed  to  say,  he  considered  her 
presence  any  thing  else  but  an  incumbrance.  As 
the  ladies  immediately  took  a  position  apart  from 
every  body,  and  one  where  they  were  least  in  the 
way  of  working  the  ship,  at  the  same  time  that  they 
could  command  an  entire  view  of  all  her  manoeuvres 


THE    RED    ROVER.  189 

(he  disappointed  sailor  was  obliged  to  cut  short  a 
communication  which  he  would  gladly  have  contin 
ued  until  compelled  to  take  the  charge  of  the  vessel 
from  the  hands  of  the  pilot.  By  this  time,  however, 
the  anchor  was  a- weigh,  and  the  seamen  were  already 
actively  engaged  in  the  process  of  making  sail.  Wil 
der  lent  himself,  with  feverish  excitement,  to  the 
duty ;  and,  taking  the  words  from  the  officer  who  was 
issuing  the  necessary  orders,  he  assumed  the  immedi 
ate  superintendence  in  person. 

As  sheet  after  sheet  of  canvas  fell  from  the  yards, 
and  was  distended  by  the  complicated  mechanism, 
the  interest  that  a  seaman  ever  takes  in  his  vessel 
began  to  gain  the  ascendancy  over  all  other  feelings. 
By  the  time  every  thing  was  set,  from  the  royals 
down,  and  the  ship  was  cast  with  her  head  towards 
the  harbour's  mouth,  our  adventurer  had  probably 
forgotten  (for  the  moment  only,  it  is  true)  that  he  was 
a  stranger  among  those  he  was  in  so  extraordinary  a 
manner  selected  to  command,  and  how  precious  a 
stake  was  intrusted  to  his  firmness  and  decision. 
After  every  thing  was  set  to  advantage,  alow  and 
aloft,  and  the  ship  was  brought  close  upon  the  wind, 
his  eye  scanned  every  yard  and  sail,  from  the  truck 
to  the  hull,  and  concluded  by  casting  a  glance  along 
the  outer  side  of  the  vessel,  in  order  to  see  that  not 
even  the  smallest  rope  was  m  the  water  to  impede 
her  progress.  A  small  skiff,  occupied  by  a  boy,  was 
towing  under  the  lee,  and,  as  the  mass  of  the  vessel 
began  to  move,  it  was  skipping  along  the  surface  of 
the  water,  light  and  buoyant  as  a  feather.  Perceiv 
ing  that  it  was  a  boat  belonging  to  the  shore,  Wilder 
walked  forward,  and  demanded  its  owner.  A  mate 
pointed  to  Joram,  who  at  that  moment  ascended 
from  the  interior  of  the  vessel,  where  he  had  been 
settling  the  balance  due  from  a  delinquent,  or,  what 
ivns  in  his  eyes  the  same  thing,  a  departing  debtor. 
The  sight  of  this  man  recalled  Wilder  to  a  recol 


190  THE   RED    ROVER. 

lection  of  all  that  had  occurred  that  morning,  and 
of  the  whole  delicacy  of  the  task  he  had  undertaken 
to  perform.  But  the  publican,  whose  ideas  appeared 
always  concentrated  when  occupied  on  the  subject 
of  gain,  seemed  troubled  by  no  particular  emotions 
at  the  interview.  He  approached  the  young  mari 
ner,  and,  saluting  him  by  the  title  of  "  Captain," 
bade  him  a  good  voyage,  with  those  customary  wish 
es  which  seamen  express,  when  about  to  separate  on 
such  an  occasion. 

"  A  lucky  trip  you  have  made  of  it,  Captain  Wil 
der,"  he  concluded,  "  and  I  hope  your  passage  will 
be  short.  You'll  not  be  without  a  breeze  this  after 
noon  ;  and,  by  stretching  well  over  towards  Mon- 
tauck,  you'll  be  able  to  make  such  an  offing,  on  the 
other  tack,  as  to  run  the  coast  down  in  the  morning. 
If  I  am  any  judge  of  the  weather,  the  wind  will 
have  more  easting  in  it,  than  you  may  happen  to 
find  to  your  fancy." 

"  And  how  long  do  you  think  my  voyage  is  likely 
to  last?"  demanded  Wilder,  dropping  his  voice  so 
low  as  to  reach  no  ears  but  those  of  the  publican. 

Joram  cast  a  furtive  glance  aside  ;  and,  perceiv 
ing  that  they  were  alone,  he  suffered  an  expression 
of  hardened  cunning  to  take  possession  of  a  counte 
nance  that  ordinarily  seemed  set  in  dull,  physical 
contentment,  as  he  replied,  laying  a  finger  on  his 
nose  while  speaking, — 

"  Didn't  I  tender  the  consignee  a  beautiful  oath, 
master  Wilder?" 

"  You  certainly  exceeded  my  expectations  with 
your  promptitude,  and" 

"  Information  !"  added  the  landlord  of  the  c  Foul 
Anchor,'  perceiving  the  other  a  little  at  a  loss  for  a 
word  ;  "  yes,  I  have  always  been  remarkable  for  the 
activity  of  my  mind  in  these  small  matters ;  but, 
when  a  man  once  knows  a  thing  thoroughly,  it  is  a 
great  folly  to  spend  his  breath  in  too  many  words.1 


THE    RED    ROVER.  191 

"  It  is  certainly  a  great  advantage  to  be  so  well 
nstructed.  I  suppose  you  improve  your  knowledge 
co  a  good  account." 

"  Ah  !  bless  me,  master  Wilder,  what  would  be 
come  of  us  all,  in  these  difficult  times,  if  we  did  not 
turn  an  honest  penny  in  every  way  that  offers  ?  I 
have  brought  up  several  fine  children  in  credit,  and 
•t  sha'n't  be  my  fault  if  I  don't  leave  them  some 
thing  too,  besides  my  good  name.  Well,  well ;  they 
say, 4  A  nimble  sixpence  is  as  good  as  a  lazy  shilling ;' 
but  give  me  the  man  who  don't  stand  shilly-shally 
when  a  friend  has  need  of  his  good  word,  or  a  lift 
from  his  hand.  You  always  know  where  to  find 
such  a  man ;  as  our  politicians  say,  after  they  have 
^one  through  thick  and  thin  in  the  cause,  be  it  right 
or  be  it  wrong." 

"  Very  commendable  principles  !  and  such  as  will 
lurely  be  the  means  of  exalting  you  in  the  world 
sooner  or  later  !  But  you  forget  to  answer  my  ques 
tion  :  Will  the  passage  be  long,  or  short  ?" 

"  Heaven  bless  you,  master  Wilder !  Is  it  for  a 
.oor  publican,  like  me,  to  tell  the  Master  of  this 
ioble  ship  which  way  the  wind  will  blow  next? 
There  is  the  worthy  and  notable  Commander  Nichols, 
*ying  in  his  state-room  below,  he  could  do  any  thing 
with  the  vessel ;  and  why  am  I  to  expect  that  a  gen 
tleman  so  well  recommended  as  yourself  will  do 
^ess  ?  I  expect  to  hear  that  you  have  made  a  fa- 
•nous  run,  and  have  done  credit  to  the  good  word 
*  have  had  occasion  to  say  in  your  favour." 

Wilder  execrated,  in  his  heart,  the  wary  cunning 
*f  the  rogue  with  whom  he  was  compelled,  for  the 
noment,  to  be  in  league ;  for  he  saw  plainly  that  a 
letermination  not  to  commit  himself  a  tittle  further 
'ban  he  might  conceive  to  be  absolutely  necessary, 
vas  likely  to  render  Joram  too  circumspect,  to  an- 
<wer  his  own  immediate  wishes.  After  hesitating  a 
,  in  order  to  reflect,  he  continued  hastily, — 


192  THE    RED   ROVER. 

"  You  see  that  the  ship  is  gathering  way  too  fast 
to  admit  of  trifling.  You  know  of  the  letter  I  re 
ceived  this  morning?" 

"  Bless  me,  Captain  Wilder !  Do  you  take  me  for 
a  postmaster  ?  How  should  I  know  what  letters 
arrive  at  Newport,  and  what  stop  on  the  main  ?" 

"  As  timid  a  villain  as  he  is  thorough !"  muttered 
the  young  mariner.  "  But  this  much  you  may  surely 
say,  Am  I  to  be  followed  immediately  ?  or  is  it  ex 
pected  that  I  should  detain  the  ship  in  the  offing, 
under  any  pretence  that  I  can  devise?" 

"  Heaven  keep  you,  young  gentleman  !  These  are 
strange  questions,  to  come  from  one  who  is  fresh  off 
the  sea,  to  a  man  that  has  done  no  more  than  look  at 
it  from  the  land,  these  five-and-twenty  years.  Ac 
cording  to  my  memory,  sir,  you  will  keep  the  ship 
about  south  until  you  are  clear  of  the  islands  ;  and 
then  you  must  make  your  calculations  according  to 
the  wind,  in  order  not  to  get  into  the  Gulf,  where, 
you  know,  the  stream  will  be  setting  you  one  way, 
while  your  orders  say, '  Go  another.' " 

"  Luff!  mind  your  luff,  sir !"  cried  the  pilot,  in  a 
stern  voice,  to  the  man  at  the  helm ;  "  luff  you  can  ; 
on  no  account  go  to  leeward  of  the  slaver !" 

Both  Wilder  and  the  publican  started,  as  if  they 
found  something  alarming  in  the  name  of  the  vessel 
just  alluded  to  ;  and  the  former  pointed  to  the  skiff, 
as  he  said, — 

"  Unless  you  wish  to  go  to  sea  with  us,  Mr  Joram, 
it  is  time  your  boat  held  its  master." 

"  Ay,  ay,  I  see  you  are  fairly  under  way,  and  1 
must  leave  you,  however  much  I  like  your  com 
pany,"  returned  the  landlord  of  the  l  Foul  Anchor,' 
bustling  over  the  side,  and  getting  into  his  skiff  in 
the  best  manner  he  could.  "  Well,  boys,  a  good  time 
to  ye ;  a  plenty  of  wind,  and  of  the  right  sort ;  a 
safe  passage  out,  and  a  quick  return.  Cast  off." 

His  order  was  obeyed ;  the  light  skiff,  no  longei 


THE    RED    ROVER.  193 

impelled  by  the  ship,  immediately  deviated  from  its 
course  ;  and,  after  making  a  little  circuit,  it  became 
stationary,  while  the  mass  of  the  vessel  passed  on, 
with  the  steadiness  of  an  elephant  from  whose  back 
a  butterfly  had  just  taken  its  flight.  Wilder  follow 
ed  the  boat  with  his  eyes,  for  a  moment ;  but  his 
thoughts  were  recalled  by  the  voice  of  the  pilot, 
who  again  called,  from  the  forward  part  of  the 
ship,— 

"  Let  the  light  sails  lift  a  little,  boy ;  let  her  lift ; 
keep  every  inch  you  can,  or  you'll  not  weather  the 
slaver.  Luff,  I  say,  sir ;  luff." 

"  The  slaver !"  muttered  our  adventurer,  hasten 
ing  to  a  part  of  the  ship  whence  he  could  command 
a  view  of  that  important,  and  to  him  doubly  interest 
ing  ship ;  "  ay,  the  slaver !  it  may  be  difficult,  in 
deed,  to  weather  upon  the  slaver !" 

He  had  unconsciously  placed  himself  near  Mrs 
Wyllys  and  Gertrude  ;  the  latter  of  whom  was  lean 
ing  on  the  rail  of  the  quarter-deck,  regarding  the 
strange  vessel  at  anchor,  with  a  pleasure  far  from 
unnatural  to  her  years  and  sex. 

"  You  may  laugh  at  me,  and  call  me  fickle,  and 
perhaps  credulous,  dear  Mrs  Wyllys,"  the  unsuspect 
ing  girl  cried,  just  as  Wilder  had  taken  the  foregoing 
position,  "  but  I  wish  we  were  well  out  of  this 
4  Royal  Caroline,'  and  that  our  passage  was  to  be 
made  in  yonder  beautiful  ship  !" 

44  It  is  indeed  a  beautiful  ship  !"  returned  Wyllys ; 
"  but  I  know  not  that  it  would  be  safer,  or  more 
comfortable,  than  the  one  we  are  in." 

44  With  what  symmetry  and  order  the  ropes  are 
arranged !  and  how  like  a  bird  it  floats  upon  the 
water!" 

"  Had  you  particularized  the  duck,  the  compari 
son  would  have  been  exactly  nautical,"    said  the 
governess,  smiling  mournfully ;  "  you  show  capabili 
ties,  my  love,  to  be  one  day  a  seaman's  wife." 
R 


194  THE    RED    ROVER. 

Gertrude  blushed  a  little ;  and,  turning  back  her 
head  to  answer  in  the  playful  vein  of  her  governess, 
her  eye  met  the  riveted  look  of  Wilder,  fastened  on 
herself.  The  colour  on  her  cheek  deepened  to  a 
carnation,  and  she  was  mute  ;  the  large  gipsy  hat 
she  wore  serving  to  conceal  both  her  face  and  the 
confusion  which  so  deeply  suffused  it. 

"•  You  make  no  answer,  child,  as  if  you  reflected 
seriously  on  the  chances,"  continued  Mrs  Wyllys, 
whose  thoughtful  and  abstracted  mien,  however, 
sufficiently  proved  she  scarcely  knew  what  she  ut 
tered. 

"  The  sea  is  too  unstable  an  element  for  my  taste," 
Gertrude  coldly  answered.  u  Pray  tell  me,  Mrs 
Wyllys,  is  the  vessel  we  are  approaching  a  King's 
ship  ?  She  has  a  warlike,  not  to  say  a  threatening 
exterior." 

"  The  pilot  has  twice  called  her  a  slaver." 

"  A  slaver !  How  deceitful  then  is  all  her  beauty 
and  symmetry !  I  will  never  trust  to  appearances 
again,  since  so  lovely  an  object  can  be  devoted  to 
so  vile  a  purpose." 

"  Deceitful  indeed  !"  exclaimed  Wilder  aloud,  un 
der  an  impulse  that  he  found  as  irresistible  as  it  was 
involuntary.  "  I  will  take  upon  myself  to  say,  that 
a  more  treacherous  vessel  does  not  float  the  ocean 
than  yonder  finely  proportioned  and  admirably  equip 
ped" 

"Slaver,"  added  Mrs  Wyllys,  who  had  time  to 
turn,  and  to  look  all  her  astonishment,  before  the 
young  man  appeared  disposed  to  finish  his  own  sen 
tence. 

"  Slaver ;"  he  said  with  emphasis,  bowing  at  the 
same  time,  as  if  he  would  thank  her  for  the  word. 

After  this  interruption,  a  profound  silence  occur 
red.  Mrs  Wyllys  studied  the  disturbed  features  of 
the  young  man,  for  a  moment,  with  a  countenance 
that  denoted  a  singular,  though  a  complicated,  inter- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  195 

est;  and  then  she  gravely  bent  her  eyes  on  the  water, 
deeply  occupied  with  intense,  if  not  painful  reflec 
tion.  The  light  symmetrical  form  of  Gertrude  con 
tinued  leaning  on  the  rail,  it  is  true,  but  Wilder  was 
unable  to  catch  another  glimpse  of  her  averted  and 
shadowed  lineaments.  In  the  mean  while,  events, 
that  were  of  a  character  to  withdraw  his  attention 
entirely  from  even  so  pleasing  a  study,  were  hasten 
ing  to  their  accomplishment. 

The  ship  had,  by  this  time,  passed  between  the 
little  island  and  the  point  whence  Homespun  had 
embarked,  and  might  now  be  said  to  have  fairly  left 
the  inner  harbour.  The  slaver  lay  directly  in  her 
track,  and  every  man  in  the  vessel  was  gazing  with 
deep  interest,  in  order  to  see  whether  they  might  yet 
hope  to  pass  on  her  weather-beam.  The  measure 
was  desirable ;  because  a  seaman  has  a  pride  in  keep 
ing  on  the  honourable  side  of  every  thing  he  encoun 
ters,  but  chiefly  because,  from  the  position  of  the 
stranger,  it  would  be  the  means  of  preventing  the 
necessity  of  tacking  before  the  "  Caroline1'  should 
reach  a  point  more  advantageous  for  such  a  manoeu 
vre.  The  reader  will,  however,  readily  understand 
that  the  interest  of  hor  new  Commander  took  its 
rise  in  far  different  feelings  from  those  of  professional 
pride,  or  momentary  convenience. 

Wilder  felt,  in  every  nerve,  the  probability  that  a 
crisis  was  at  hand.  It  will  be  remembered  that  he 
was  profoundly  ignorant  of  the  immediate  intentions 
of  the  Rover.  As  the  fort  was  not  in  a  state  for 
present  service,  it  would  not  be  difficult  for  the  latter 
to  seize  upon  his  prey  in  open  view  of  the  towns 
men,  and  bear  it  off,  in  contempt  of  their  feeble 
means  of  defence.  The  position  of  the  two  ships 
was  favourable  to  such  an  enterprise.  Unprepared, 
and  unsuspecting,  the  "  Caroline,"  at  no  time  a 
match  for  her  powerful  adversary,  must  fall  an  easy 
victim ;  nor  would  there  be  much  reason  to  appre- 


196  THE    RED    ROVER. 

hend  that  a  single  shot  from  the  battery  could  reach 
them,  before  the  captor,  and  his  prize,  would  be  at 
such  a  distance  as  to  render  the  blow  next  to  impo 
tent,  if  riot  utterly  innocuous.  The  wild  and  auda 
cious  character  of  such  an  enterprise  was  in  full  ac 
cordance  with  the  reputation  of  the  desperate  free 
booter,  on  whose  caprice,  alone,  the  act  now  seemed 
solely  to  depend. 

Under  these  impressions,  and  with  the  prospect 
of  such  a  speedy  termination  to  his  new-born  authori 
ty,  it  is  not  to  be  considered  wonderful  that  our  ad 
venturer  awaited  the  result  with  an  interest  far  ex 
ceeding  that  of  any  of  those  by  whom  he  was  sur 
rounded.  He  walked  into  the  waist  of  the  ship, 
and  endeavoured  to  read  the  plan  of  his  secret  con 
federates,  by  some  of  those  indications  that  are  fa 
miliar  to  a  seaman.  Not  the  smallest  sign  of  any 
intention  to  depart,  or  in  any  manner  to  change  her 
position,  was,  however,  discoverable  in  the  pretend 
ed  slaver.  She  lay  in  the  same  deep,  beautiful,  but 
treacherous  quiet,  as  that  in  which  she  had  reposed 
throughout  the  whole  of  the  eventful  morning.  But 
a  solitary  individual  could  be  seen  amid  the  mazes 
of  her  rigging,  or  along  the  wide  reach  of  all  her 
spars.  It  was  a  seaman  seated  on  the  extremity  of 
a  lower  yard,  where  he  appeared  to  busy  himself 
with  one  of  those  repairs  that  are  so  constantly  re 
quired  in  the  gear  of  a  large  ship.  As  the  man  was 
placed  on  the  weather  side  of  his  own  vessel,  Wilder 
instantly  conceived  the  idea  that  he  was  thus  station 
ed  to  cast  a  grapnel  into  the  rigging  of  the  "  Caro 
line,"  should  such  a  measure  become  necessary,  in 
order  to  bring  the  two  ships  foul  of  each  other. 
With  a  view  to  prevent  so  rude  an  encounter,  he  in 
stantly  determined  to  defeat  the  plan.  Calling  to  the 
pilot,  he  told  him  the  attempt  to  pass  to  windward 
was  of  very  doubtful  success,  and  reminded  him  that 
the  safer  way  would  be  to  go  to  leeward. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  /97 

"  No  fear,  no  fear,  Captain,"  returned  the  tub- 
born  conductor  of  the  ship,  who,  as  his  authority 
was  so  brief,  was  only  the  more  jealous  of  its  unre 
strained  exercise,  and  who,  like  an  usurper  of  the 
throne,  felt  a  jealousy  of  the  more  legitimate  power 
which  he  had  temporarily  dispossessed ;  "  no  fear  of 
me,  Captain.  I  have  trolled  over  this  ground  often 
er  than  you  have  crossed  the  ocean,  and  I  know  the 
name  of  every  rock  on  the  bottom,  as  well  as  the 
town-crier  knows  the  streets  of  Newport.  Let  her 
luff,  boy ;  luff  her  into  the  very  eye  of  the  wind ; 
luff,  you  can" 

"  You  have  the  ship  shivering  as  it  is,  sir,"  said 
Wilder,  sternly :  "  Should  you  get  us  foul  of  the  sla 
ver,  who  is  to  pay  the  cost  ?" 

"  I  am  a  general  underwriter,"  returned  the  opin 
ionated  pilot;  "my  wife  shall  mend  every  hole  I 
make  in  your  sails,  with  a  needle  no  bigger  than  a 
hair,  and  with  such  a  palm  as  a  fairy's  thimble !" 

"  This  is  fine  talking,  sir,  but  you  are  already 
losing  the  ship's  way ;  and,  before  you  have  ended 
your  boasts,  she  will  be  as  fast  in  irons  as  a  condemn 
ed  thief.  Keep  the  sails  full,  boy ;  keep  them  a  rap 
full,  sir." 

"  Ay,  ay,  keep  her  a  good  full,"  echoed  the  pilot, 
who,  as  the  difficulty  of  passing  to  windward  became 
at  each  instant  more  obvious,  evidently  began  to  wa 

ver  in  his  resolution.     "  Keep  her  full-and-by, 1 

have  always  told  you  full-and-by, 1  don't  know, 

Captain,  seeing  that  the  wind  has  hauled  a  little,  but 
we  shall  have  to  pass  to  leeward  yet ;  but  you  will 
acknowledge,  that,  in  such  case,  we  shall  be  obliged 
to  go  about." 

Now,  in  point  of  fact,  the  wind,  though  a  little 
lighter  than  it  had  been,  was,  if  anything,  a  trifle  more 
favourable  ;  nor  had  Wilder  ever,  in  any  manner, 
denied  that  the  ship  would  not  have  to  tack,  some 
twenty  minutes  sooner,  by  going  to  leeward  of  the 
R2 


198  THE    RED    ROVER. 

other  vessel,  than  if  she  had  succeeded  in  her  deli 
cate  experiment  of  passing  on  the  more  honourable 
side ;  but,  as  the  vulgarest  minds  are  always  the 
most  reluctant  to  confess  their  blunders,  the  discom 
fited  pilot  was  disposed  to  qualify  the  concession  he 
found  himself  compelled  to  make,  by  some  salvo  of 
the  sort,  that  he  might  not  lessen  his  reputation  for 
foresight,  among  his  auditors. 

"  Keep  her  away  at  once,"  cried  Wilder,  who  was 
beginning  to  change  the  tones  of  remonstrance  for 
those  of  command  ;  "  keep  the  ship  away,  sir,  while 
you  have  room  to  do  it,  or,  by  the" 

His  lips  became  motionless ;  for  his  eye  happen 
ed  to  fall  on  the  pale,  speaking,  and  anxious  coun 
tenance  of  Gertrude. 

"  I  believe  it  must  be  done,  seeing  that  the  wind 
is  hauling.  Hard  up,  boy,  and  run  her  under  the 
stern  of  the  ship  at  anchor.  Hold  !  keep  your  luff 
again  ;  eat  into  the  wind  to  the  bone,  boy;  lift  again  ; 
let  the  light  sails  lift  The  slaver  has  run  a  warp 
directly  across  our  track.  If  there's  law  in  the 
Plantations,  I'll  have  her  Captain  before  the  Courts 
for  this  !" 

"What  means  the  fellow?"  demanded  Wilder, 
jumping  hastily  on  a  gun,  in  order  to  get  a  better 
view. 

His  mate  pointed  to  the  lee-quarter  of  the  other 
vessel,  where,  sure  enough,  a  large  rope  was  seen 
whipping  the  water,  as  though  in  the  very  process  of 
being  extended.  The  truth  instantly  flashed  on  the 
mind  of  our  young  mariner.  The  Rover  lay  secret 
ly  moored  with  a  spring,  with  a  view  to  brinej  his 
guns  more  readily  to  bear  upon  the  battery,  should 
his  defence  become  necessary,  and  he  now  profited, 
by  the  circumstance,  in  order  to  prevent  the  trader 
from  passing  to  leeward.  The  whole  arrangement 
excited  a  good  deal  of  surprise,  and  not  a  few  exe 
crations  among  the  officers  of  the  "  Caroline ;"  though 


THE    RED    ROVEK.  199 

none  bat  her  Commander  had  the  smallest  twinkling 
of  the  real  reason  why  the  kedge  had  thus  been  laid, 
and  why  a  warp  was  so  awkwardly  stretched  across 
their  path.  Of  the  whole  number,  the  pilot  alone 
saw  cause  to  rejoice  in  the  circumstance.  He  had, 
in  fact,  got  the  ship  in  such  a  situation,  as  to  render 
it  nearly  as  difficult  to  proceed  in  one  way  as  in  the 
other;  and  he  was  now  furnished  with  a  sufficient 
justification,  should  any  accident  occur,  in  the  course 
of  the  exceedingly  critical  manoeuvre,  from  whose 
execution  there  was  now  no  retreat. 

"  This  is  an  extraordinary  liberty  to  take  in  the 
mouth  of  a  harbour,"  muttered  Wilder,  when  his 
eyes  put  him  in  possession  of  the  fact  just  related. 
"  You  must  shove  her  by  to  windward,  pilot ;  there 
is  no  remedy." 

"  I  wash  my  hands  of  the  consequences,  as  I  call 
all  on  board  to  witness,"  returned  the  other,  with 
the  air  of  a  deeply  offended  man,  though  secretly 
glad  of  the  appearance  of  being  driven  to  the  very 
measure  he  was  a  minute  before  so  obstinately  bent 
on  executing.  "Law  must  be  called  in  here,  if 
sticks  are  snapped,  or  rigging  parted.  Luff  to  a  hair, 
boy ;  luff  her  short  into  the  wind,  and  try  a  half- 
board," 

The  man  at  the  helm  obeyed  the  order.  Releas 
ing  his  hold  of  its  spokes,  the  wheel  made  a  quick 
evolution ;  and  "d*c  ship,  feeling  a  fresh  impulse  of 
the  wind,  turned  her  head  heavily  towards  the  quar 
ter  whence  it  came,  the  canvas  fluttering  with  a 
noise  like  that  produced  by  a  flock  of  water- fowl 
)ust  taking  wing.  But,  met  by  the  helm  again,  she 
soon  fell  off  as  before,  powerless  from  having  lost 
her  way,  and  settling  bodily  down  toward  the  fancied 
slaver,  impelled  by  the  air,  which  seemed,  however, 
to  have  lost  much  of  its  force,  at  the  critical  instant 
it  was  most  needed. 

The  -situation  of  dae  •"  Caroline"  was  one  which 


THE    RED    ROVER. 

a  seaman  will  readily  understand.  She  had  forged 
so  far  ahead  as  to  lie  directly  on  the  weather-beam 
of  the  stranger,  but  too  near  to  enable  her  to  fall-off 
in  the  least,  without  imminent  danger  that  the  ves 
sels  would  come  foul.  The  wind  was  inconstant, 
sometimes  blowing  in  puffs,  while  at  moments  there 
was  a  perfect  lull.  As  the  ship  felt  the  former,  her 
tall  masts  bent  gracefully  towards  the  slaver,  as  if 
to  make  the  parting  salute ;  but,  relieved  from  the 
momentary  pressure  of  the  inconstant  air,  she  as 
often  rolled  heavily  to  windward,  without  advancing 
a  foot.  The  effect  of  each  change,  however,  was 
to  bring  her  still  nigher  to  her  dangerous  neighbour, 
until  it  became  evident,  to  the  judgment  of  the 
youngest  seaman  in  the  vessel,  that  nothing  but  a 
sudden  shift  of  wind  could  enable  her  to  pass  ahead, 
the  more  especially  as  the  tide  was  on  the  change. 

As  the  inferior  officers-  of  the  "  Caroline"  were 
not  delicate  in  their  commentaries  on  the  dulness 
which  had  brought  them  into  so  awkward  and  so 
mortifying  a  position,  the  pilot  endeavoured  to  con 
ceal  his  own  vexation,  by  the  number  and  vocifer- 
ousness  of  his  orders.  From  blustering^  he  soon 
passed  into  confusion,  until  the  men  themselves  stood 
idle,  not  knowing  which  of  the  uncertain  and  con 
tradictory  mandates  they  received  ought  to  be  first 
obeyed.  In  the  mean  time,  Wilder  had  folded  his 
arms  with  an  appearance  of  entire  composure,  and 
taken  his  station  near  his  female  passengers.  Mrs 
Wyllys  closely  studied  his  eye,  with  the  wish  of 
ascertaining,  by  its  expression,  the  nature  and  ex 
tent  of  their  danger,,  if  danger  there  might  be,  in 
the  approaching  collision  of  two  ships  in  water  that 
was  perfectly  smooth,  and  where  one  was  stationa 
ry,  and  the  motion  of  the  other  scarcely  perceptible. 
The  stern,  determined  look  she  saw  settling  about 
the  brow  of  the  young  man  excited  an  uneasiness 
that  she  would  not  otherwise  have  felt,  perhaps,  un 


THE   RED   ROVER.  201 

der  circumstances  that,  in  themselves,  bore  no  very 
vivid  appearance  of  hazard. 

"  Have  we  aught  to  apprehend,  sir  ?"  demanded 
the  governess,  endeavouring  to  conceal  from  her 
charge  the  nature  of  her  own  disquietude. 

"  I  told  you,  Madam,  the  4  Caroline'  would  prove 
an  unlucky  ship." 

Both  females  regarded  the  peculiarly  hitter  smile 
with  which  Wilder  made  this  reply  as  an  evil  omen^ 
and  Gertrude  clung  to  hei  companion  as  to  one  on 
whom  she  had  long  been  accustomed  to  lean. 

"  Why  do  not  the  mariners  of  the  slaver  appear, 
to  assist  us — to  keep  us  from  coming  too  nigh  ?"  anx 
iously  exclaimed  the  latter. 

"  Why  do  they  not,  indeed  !  but  we  shall  see  them, 
I  think,  ere  long." 

"  You  speak  and  look,  young  man,  as  if  you 
thought  there  would  be  danger  in  the  interview !" 

"  Keep  near  to  me,"  returned  Wilder,  in  tones 
that  were  nearly  smothered  by  the  manner  in  which 
he  compressed  his  lips.  "  In  every  event,  keep  as 
nigh  my  person  as  possible." 

"  Haul  the  spanker-boom  to  windward,"  shouted 
the  pilot ;  "  lower  away  the  boats,  and  tow  the 
ship's  head  round— ^clear  away  the  stream  anchor — 
aft  gib-sheet — board  main  tack,  again." 

The  astonished  men  stood  like  statues,  not  know 
ing  whither  to  turn,  some  calling  to  the  rest  to  do 
this  or  that,  and  some  as  loudly  countermanding  the 
order ;  when  an  authoritative  voice  was  heard  calm 
ly  to  say, — 

"  Silence  in  the  ship." 

The  tones  were  of  that  sort  which,  while  they 
denote  the  self-possession  of  the  speaker,  never  fail 
to  inspire  the  inferior  with  a  portion  of  the  confi 
dence  of  him  who  commands.  Every  face  was  turn 
ed  towards  the  quarter  of  the  vessel  whence  the 
gound  proceeded,  as  if  each  ear  was  ready  to  catch 


202  THE  RED   ROVER. 

the  smallest  additional  mandate.  Wilder  was  stand* 
ing  on  the  head  of  the  capstan,  where  he  could  com 
mand  a  full  view  on  every  side  of  him.  With  a  quick 
and  understanding  glance,  he  had  made  himself  a 
perfect  master  of  the  situation  of  his  ship.  His  eye 
was  at  the  instant  fixed  anxiously  on  the  slaver,  as  if 
it  would  pierce  the  treacherous  calm  which  still 
reigned  on  all  about  her,  in  order  to  know  how  far 
his  exertions  might  be  permitted  to  be  useful.  But 
it  appeared  as  if  the  stranger  lay  like  some  enchant 
ed  vessel  on  the  water,  not  a  human  form  even  ap 
pearing  about  all  her  complicated  machinery,  except 
the  seaman  already  named,  who  still  continued  his 
employment,  as  though  the  "Caroline"  was  not  with 
in  a  hundred  miles  of  the  place  where  he  sat.  The 
lips  of  Wilder  moved :  it  might  be  in  bitterness  ;  it 
might  be  in  satisfaction ;  for,  a  smile  of  the  most 
equivocal  nature  lighted  his  features,  as  he  continued, 
in  the  same  deep,  commanding  voice  as  before, — 

"  Throw  all  aback — lay  every  thing  flat  to  the 
masts,  forward  and  aft." 

"  Ay !"  echoed  the  pilot,  "  lay  every  thing  flat  to 
the  masts." 

"Is  there  a  shove-boat  alongside  the  ship?"  de 
manded  our  adventurer. 

The  answer,  from  a  dozen  voices,  was  in  the  af 
firmative. 

"  Show  that  pilot  into  her." 

"  This  is  an  unlawful  order,"  exclaimed  the  other, 
4  and  I  forbid  any  voice  but  mine  to  be  obeyed." 

"  Throw  him  in,"  sternly  repeated  Wilder. 

Amid  the  bustle  and  exertion  of  bracing  round  the 
yards,  the  resistance  of  the  pilot  produced  little  or 
no  sensation.  He  was  soon  raised  on  the  extended 
arms  of  the  two  mates ;  and,  after  exhibiting  his 
limbs  in  sundry  contortions  in  the  air,  he  was  drop 
ped  into  the  boat,  with  as  little  ceremony  as  though 
he  had  been  a  billet  of  wood.  The  end  of  the 


THE    RED    ROVER,  203 

painter  was  cast  after  him ;  and  then  the  discomfit 
ed  guide  was  left,  with  singular  indifference,  to  his 
own  meditations. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  order  ©f  Wilder  had  been 
executed.  Those  vast  sheets  of  canvas  which,  a 
moment  before,  had  been  either  fluttering  in  the  air, 
or  were  bellying  inward  or  outward,  as  they  touched 
or  filled,  as  k  is  technically  called,  were  now  all 
pressing  against  their  respective  masts,  impelling  the 
vessel  to  retrace  her  mistaken  path.  The  manoeuvre 
required  the  utmost  attention,  and  the  nicest  delicacy 
in  its  direction.  But  her  young  Commander  proved 
himself,  ia  every  particular,  competent  to  his  task. 
Here,  a  sail  was  lifted ;  there,  another  was  brought 
with  a  flatter  surface  to  the  air ;  now,  the  lighter 
canvas  was  spread;  and  now  it  disappeared,  like 
thin  vapour  suddenly  dispelled  by  the  sun.  The 
voice  of  Wilder,  throughout,  though  calm,  was  breath 
ing  with  authority.  The  ship  itself  seemed,  like  an 
animated  being,  conscious  that  her  destinies  were 
reposed  in  different,  and  more  intelligent,  hands  than 
before.  Obedient  to  the  new  impulse  they  had  re 
ceived,  the  immense  cloud  of  canvas,  with  all  its  tall 
forest  of  spars  and  rigging,  rolled  to  and  fro ;  and 
then,  having  overcome  the  state  of  comparative  rest 
in  which  it  had  been  lying,  the  vessel  heavily  yielded 
to  the  pressure,  and  began  to  recede. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  the  time  necessary  to 
extricate  the  "Caroline,"  the  attention  of  Wilder 
was  divided  between  his  own  ship  and  his  inexplica 
ble  neighbour.  Not  a  sound  was  heard  to  issue  from 
the  imposing  and  death-like  stillness  of  the  latter. 
Not  a  single  anxious  countenance,  not  even  one  lurk 
ing  eye,  was  to  be  detected,  at  any  of  the  numerous 
outlets  by  which  the  inmates  of  an  armed  vessel  can 
look  abroad  upon  the  deep.  The  seaman  on  the 
yard  continued  his  labour,  like  a  man  unconscious 
of  any  thing  but  his  own  existence.  There  was 


204  THE    RED    ROVER. 

however,  a  slow,  though  nearly  imperceptible,  mo 
tion  in  the  ship  itself,  which  was  apparently  made, 
like  the  lazy  movement  of  a  slumbering  whale,  more 
by  listless  volition,  than  through  any  agency  of  human 
hands. 

Not  the  smallest  of  these  changes  escaped  the 
keen  and  understanding  examination  of  Wilder,  He 
saw,  that,  as  his  own  ship  retired,  the  side  of  the 
slaver  was  gradually  exposed  to  the  "Caroline." 
The  muzzles  of  the  threatening  guns  gaped  constant 
ly  on  his  vessel,  as  the  eye  of  the  crouching  tiger 
follows  the  movement  of  its  prey ;  and  at  no  time, 
while  nearest,  did  there  exist  a  single  instant  that 
the  decks  of  the  latter  ship  could  not  have  been 
swept,  by  a  general  discharge  from  the  battery  of  the 
former.  At  each  successive  order  issued  from  his 
own  lips,  our  adventurer  turned  his  eye,  with  increas- 
ng  interest,  to  ascertain  whether  he  would  be  per 
mitted  to  execute  it ;  and  never  did  he  feel  certain 
that  he  was  left  to  the  sole  management  of  the  "-  Car 
oline"  until  he  found  that  she  had  backed  from  her 
dangerous  proximity  to  the  other;  and  that,  obedient 
to  a  new  disposition  of  her  sails,  she  was  ialling  off, 
before  the  light  air,  in  a  place  where  he  could  hold 
her  entirely  at  command. 

Finding  that  the  tide  was  getting  unfavourable 
and  the  wind  too  light  to  stem  it,  the  sails  were  then 
drawn  to  her  yards  in  festoons,  and  an  anchor  was 
dropped  to  the  bottom. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  205 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

"  What  have  here  ?    A  man,  or  a  fish  ?"— 7%e  Tempest. 

THE  "  Caroline"  now  lay  within  a  cable's  length 
of  the  supposed  slaver.  In  dismissing  the  pilot, 
Wilder  had  assumed  a  responsibility  from  which  a 
seaman  usually  shrinks ;  since,  in  the  case  of  any  un 
toward  accident  in  leaving  the  port,  it  would  involve 
a  loss  of  insurance,  and  his  own  probable  punish 
ment.  How  far  he  had  been  influenced,  in  taking 
so  decided  a  step,  by  a  knowledge  of  his  being  be 
yond,  or  above,  the  reach  of  the  law,  will  probably 
be  made  manifest  in  the  course  of  the  narrative  ;  the 
only  immediate  effect  of  the  measure,  was,  to  draw 
the  whole  of  his  attention,  which  had  before  been 
so  much  divided  between  his  passengers  and  the 
ship,  to  the  care  of  the  latter.  But,  so  soon  as  hib 
vessel  was  secured,  for  a  time  at  least,  and  his  mind 
was  no  longer  excited  by  the  expectation  of  a  scene 
of  immediate  violence,  our  adventurer  found  leisure 
to  return  to  his  former,  though  (to  so  thorough  a  sea 
man)  scarcely  more  agreeable  occupation.  The 
success  of  his  delicate  manoeuvre  had  imparted  to 
his  countenance  a  glow1  of  something  very  like  tri 
umph;  and  his  step,  as  he  advanced  towards  Mrs 
Wyllys  and  Gertrude,  was  that  of  a  man  who  enjoy 
ed  the  consciousness  of  having  acquitted  himself 
dexterously,  in  circumstances  that  required  no  small 
exhibition  of  professional  skill.  At  least,  such  was 
the  construction  the  former  lady  put  upon  his  kindling 
eye  and  exulting  air ;  though  the  latter  might,  possi 
bly,  be  disposed  to  judge  of  his  motives  with  greater 
indulgence.  Perhaps  both  were  ignorant  of  the  se 
cret  reasons  of  his  self-felicitation  ;  and  it  is  possible 
that  a  sentiment,  of  a  far  more  generous  nature  than 


206  THE    RED    ROVER. 

either  of  them  :ould  imagine,  had  a  full  share  of  its 
influence  in  his  present  feelings. 

Be  this  as  it  might,  Wilder  no  sooner  saw  that  the 
"  Caroline"  was  swinging  to  her  anchor,  and  that  his 
services  were  of  no  further  immediate  use,  than  he 
sought  an  opportunity  to  renew  a  conversation  which 
had  hitherto  been  so  vague,  and  so  often  interrupted. 
Mrs  Wyllys  had  long  been  viewing  the  neighbouring 
vessel  with  a  steady  look ;  nor  did  she  now  turn  her 
gaze  from  the  motionless  and  silent  object,  until  the 
young  mariner  was  near  her  person.  She  was  then 
the  first  to  speak. 

"Yonder  vessel  must  possess  an  extraordinary, 
not  to  say  an  insensible,  crew  !"  exclaimed  the  gov 
erness,  in  a  tone  bordering  on  astonishment  "  If 
such  things  were,  it  would  not  be  difficult  to  fancy 
her  a  spectre-ship." 

"  She  is  truly  an  admirably  proportioned  and  a 
beautiful  equipped  trader !" 

"  Did  my  apprehensions  deceive  me  ?  or  were 
we  in  actual  danger  of  getting  the  two  vessels  en 
tangled  ?" 

"  There  was  certainly  some  reason  for  apprehen 
sion  ;  but  you  see  we  are  safe." 

"  For  which  we  have  to  thank  your  skill.  The 
manner  in  which  you  have  just  extricated  us  from 
the^late  danger,  has  a  direct  tendency  to  contradict 
all  that  you  were  pleased  to  foretel  of  that  which  is 
to  come." 

"  I  well  know,  Madam,  that  my  conduct  may  bear 
an  unfavourable  construction,  but" — 

"  You  thought  it  no  harm  to  laugh  at  the  weak 
ness  of  three  credulous  females,"  continued  Mrs 
Wyllys,  smiling.  "  Well,  you  have  had  your  amuse 
ment  ;  and  now.  I  hope,  you  will  be  more  disposed 
to  pity  what  is  said  to  be  a  natural  infirmity  of  wo 
man's  mind." 

As  the  governess  concluded,  she  glanced  her  eye 


THE    RED    ROVER.  207 

at  Gertrude,  with  an  expression  that  seemed  to  say, 
it  would  be  cruel,  now,  to  trifle  further  with  the  ap 
prehensions  of  one  so  innocent  and  so  young.  The 
look  of  Wilder  followed  her  own ;  and  when  he  an 
swered,  it  was  with  a  sincerity  that  was  well  calcu 
lated  to  carry  conviction  in  its  tones. 

"  On  the  faith  which  a  gentleman  owes  to  all  your 
sex,  Madam,  what  I  have  already  told  you  I  still 
continue  to  believe." 

"  The  gammonings  and  the  top-gallant-masts  !" 

"  No,  no,"  interrupted  the  young  mariner,  slightly 
laughing,  and  at  the  same  time  colouring  a  good 
deal ;  "  perhaps  not  all  of  that.  But  neither  mother, 
wife,  nor  sister  of  mine,  should  make  this  passage 
in  the  '  Royal  Caroline.'  " 

"  Your  look,  your  voice,  and  your  air  of  good 
faith,  make  a  strange  contradiction  to  your  words, 
young  man;  for,  while  the  former  almost  tempt  me 
to  believe  you  honest,  the  latter  have  not  a  shade  of 
reason  to  support  them.  Perhaps  I  ought  to  be 
ashamed  of  such  a  weakness,  and  yet  I  will  acknow 
ledge,  that  the  mysterious  quiet,  which  seems  to 
have  settled  for  ever  on  yonder  ship,  has  excited  an 
inexplicable  uneasiness,  that  may  in  some  way  be 
connected  with  her  character. — She  is  certainly  a 
slaver  ?" 

"  She  is  certainly  beautiful .!"  exclaimed  Gertrude. 

"  Very  beautiful !"  Wilder  gravely  rejoined. 

"  There  is  a  man  still  seated  on  one  of  her  yards 
who  appears  to  be  entranced  in  his  occupation," 
continued  Mrs  Wyllys,  leaning  her  chin  thoughtfully 
on  her  hand,  as  she  gazed  at  the  object  of  which  she 
was  speaking.  "  Not  once,  during  the  time  we  were 
in  so  much  danger  of  getting  the  ships  entangled, 
did  that  seaman  bestow  so  much  as  a  stolen  glance 
towards  us.  He  resembles  the  solitary  individual  in 
the  city  of  the  transformed ;  for  not  another  mortal 


208  THE  RED  ROVER. 

is  there  to  keep  him  company,  so  far  as  we  may 
discover." 

"  Perhaps  his  comrades  sleep,"  said  Gertrude. 

"  Sleep  !  Mariners  do  not  sleep  in  an  hour  and  a 
day  like  this  !  Tell  me,  Mr  Wilder,  (you  that  are  a 
seaman  should  know),  is  it  usual  for  the  crew  to 
sleep  when  a  strange  vessel  is  so  nigh — near  even  to 
touching,  I  might  almost  say  ?" 

"  It  is  not." 

"  I  thought  as  much  ;  for  I  am  not  an  entire  novice 
in  matters  of  your  daring,  your  hardy,  your  noble 
profession  !"  returned  the  governess,  with  deep  em 
phasis.  "  And,  had  we  gone  foul  of  the  slaver,  do 
you  think  her  crew  would  have  maintained  their 
apathy  ?" 

"  I  think  not,  Madam." 

"  There  is  something,  in  all  this  assumed  tranquil 
lity,  which  might  induce  one  to  suspect  the  worst  of 
her  character.     Is  it  known  that  any  of  her  crew 
have  had  communication  with  the  town,  since  her 
arrival?" 

"  It  is." 

"  I  have  heard  that  false  colours  have  been  seen 
on  the  coast,  and  that  ships  have  been  plundered, 
and  their  people  and  passengers  maltreated,  during 
the  past  summer.  It  is  even  thought  that  the  famous 
Rover  has  tired  of  his  excesses  on  the  Spanish  Main, 
and  that  a  vessel  was  not  long  since  seen  in  the 
Caribbean  sea,  which  was  thought  to  be  the  cruiser 
of  that  desperate  pirate  !" 

Wilder  made  no  reply.  His  eyes,  which  had  been 
fastened  steadily,  though  respectfully,  .on  those  of 
the  speaker,  fell  to  the  deck,  and  he  appeared  to 
await  whatever  her  further  pleasure  might  choose  to 
utter.  The  governess  mused  a  moment ;  and  then, 
with  a  change  in  the  expression  of  her  countenance 
which  proved  that  her  suspicion  of  the  truth  was  too 


THE    RED    ROVER.  200 

light  to  continue  without  further  and  better  confirm 
ation,  she  added, — 

"After  all,  the  occupation  of  a  slaver  is  bad 
enough,  and  unhappily  by  far  too  probable,  to  render 
it  necessary  to  attribute  any  worse  character  to  the 
stranger.  I  would  I  knew  the  motive  of  your  sin 
gular  assertions,  Mr  Wilder  ?" 

"  I  cannot  better  explain  them,  Madam :  unless 
my  manner  produces  its  effect,  I  fail  altogether  in 
my  intentions,  which  at  least  are  sincere." 

"  Is  not  the  risk  lessened  by  your  presence  ?'" 

"  Lessened,  but  not  removed." 

Until  now,  Gertrude  had  rather  listened,  as  if  un 
avoidably,  than  seemed  to  make  one  of  the  party. 
But  here  she  turned  quickly,  and  perhaps  a  little 
impatiently,  to  Wilder,  and,  while  her  cheeks  glow 
ed,  she  demanded,  with  a  smile  that  might  have 
brought  even  a  more  obdurate  man  to  his  confes 
sion, — 

"  Is  it  forbidden  to  be  more  explicit  ?" 

The  young  Commander  hesitated,  perhaps  as 
much  to  dwell  upon  the  ingenuous  features  of  the 
speaker,  as  to  decide  upon  his  answer.  The  colour 
mounted  into  his  own  embrowned  cheek,  and  his 
eye  lighted  with  a  gleam  of  open  pleasure  ;  then,  as 
though  suddenly  reminded  that  he  was  delaying  to 
reply,  he  said, — 

"  I  am  certain,  that,  in  relying  on  your  discretion, 
I  shall  be  safe." 

"  Doubt  it  not,"  returned  Mrs  Wyllys.  "  In  no 
event  shall  you  ever  be  betrayed." 

"  Betrayed  !  For  myself,  Madam,  I  have  little 
fear.  If  you  suspect  me  of  personal  apprehension, 
you  do  me  great  injustice." 

"  We  suspect  you  of  nothing  unworthy,"  said  Ger 
trude  hastily,  "  but — we  are  very  anxious  for  our 
selves." 

S  2 


210  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  Then  will  I  relieve  your  uneasiness,  though  at 
the  expense  of" 

A  call,  from  one  of  the  mates  to  the  other,  arrest 
ed  his  words  for  the  moment,  and  drew  his  attention 
to  the  neighbouring  ship. 

"  The  slaver's  people  have  just  found  out  that 
their  ship  is  not  made  to  put  in  a  glass  case,  to  be 
looked  at  by  women  and  children,"  cried  the  speak 
er,  in  tones  loud  enough  to  send  his  words  into  the 
fore-top,  where  the  messmate  he  addressed  was  at 
tending  to  some  especial  duty. 

"  Ay,  ay,"  was  the  answer ;  "  seeing  us  in  motion, 
has  put  him  in  mind  of  his  next  voyage.  They  keep 
watch  aboard  the  fellow,  like  the  sun  in  Greenland  ; 
six  months  on  deck,  and  six  months  below  !" 

The  witticism  produced,  as  usual,  a  laugh  among 
the  seamen,  who  continued  their  remarks  in  a  simi 
lar  vein,  but  in  tones  more  suited  to  the  deference 
due  to  their  superiors. 

The  eyes,  however,  of  Wilder  had  fastened  them 
selves  on  the  other  ship.  The  man  so  long  seated 
on  the  end  of  the  main-yard  had  disappeared,  and 
another  sailor  was  deliberately  walking  along  the 
opposite  quarter  of  the  same  spar,  steadying  himself 
by  the  boom,  and  holding  in  one  hand  the  end  of  a 
rope,  which  he  was  apparently  about  to  reeve  in 
the  place  where  it  properly  belonged.  The  first 
glance  told  Wilder  that  the  latter  was  Fid,  who  was 
so  far  recovered  from  his  debauch  as  to  tread  the 
giddy  height  with  as  much,  if  not  greater,  steadiness 
than  he  would  have  rolled  alone;  the  ground,  had  his 
duty  called  him  to  terra  firma.  The  countenance  of 
the  young  man,  which,  an  instant  before,  had  been 
flushed  with  excitement,  and  which  was  beaming 
with  the  pleasure  of  an  opening  confidence,  changed 
directly  to  a  look  of  gloom  and  reserve.  Mrs  Wyl- 
lys,  who  had  lost  no  shade  of  the  varying  expression 


THE    RED    ROVER.  211 

of  his  face,  resumed  the  discourse,  with  some  earn 
estness,  where  he  had  seen  fit  so  abruptly  to  break 
it  off. 

"  You  would  relieve  us,"  she  said, "  at  the  expense 
of" 

"  Life,  Madam ;  but  not  of  honour." 

"  Gertrude,  we  can  now  retire  to  our  cabin,"  ob 
served  Mrs  Wyllys,  with  an  air  of  cold  displeasure, 
in  which  disappointment  was  a  good  deal  mingled 
with  resentment  at  the  trifling  of  which  she  believ 
ed  herself  the  subject.  The  eye  of  Gertrude  was 
no  less  averted  and  distant  than  that  of  her  govern 
ess,  while  the  tint  that  gave  lustre  to  its  beam  was 
brighter,  if  not  quite  so  resentful.  As  the  two  moved 
past  the  silent  Wilder,  each  dropped  a  distant  salute, 
and  then  our  adventurer  found  himself  the  sole  oc 
cupant  of  the  quarter-deck.  While  his  crew  were 
busied  in  coiling  ropes,  and  clearing  the  decks,  their 
young  Commander  leaned  his  head  on  the  taffrail, 
(that  part  of  the  vessel  which  the  good  relict  of  the 
Rear-Admiral  had  so  strangely  confounded  with  a 
very  different  object  in  the  other  end  of  the  ship), 
remaining  for  many  minutes  in  an  attitude  of  deep 
abstraction.  From  this  reverie  he  was  at  length 
aroused,  by  a  sound  like  that  produced  by  the  lifting 
and  falling  of  a  light  oar  into  the  water.  Believing 
himself  about  to  be  annoyed  by  visiters  from  the 
land,  he  raised  his  head,  and  cast  a  dissatisfied  glance 
over  the  vessel's  side,  to  see  who  was  approaching. 

A  light  skiff,  such  as  is  commonly  used  by  fish 
ermen  in  the  bays  and  shallow  waters  of  America, 
was  lying  within  ten  feet  of  the  ship,  and  in  a  posi 
tion  where  it  was  necessary  to  take  some  little  pains 
in  order  to  observe  it.  It  was  occupied  by  a  single 
man,  whose  back  was  towards  the  vessel,  and  who 
was  apparently  abroad  on  the  ordinary  business  of 
the  owner  of  such  a  boat. 

"  Are  you  in  search  of  rudder-fish,  my  friend,  that 


212  THE    RED    ROVER. 

you  hang  so  closely  under  my  counter?"  demanded 
Wilder.  "  The  bay  is  said  to  be  full  of  delicious 
bass,  and  other  scaly  gentlemen,  that  would  far  better 
repay  your  trouble." 

"  He  is  well  paid  who  gets  the  bite  he  baits  for," 
returned  the  other,  turning  his  head,  and  exhibiting 
the  cunning  eye  and  chuckling  countenance  of  old 
Bob  Bunt,  as  Wilder's  recent  and  treacherous  con 
federate  had  announced  his  name  to  be. 

"  How  now !  Dare  you  trust  yourself  with  me,  in 
five-fathom  water,  after  the  villanous  trick  you  have 
seen  fit" 

"Hist!  noble  Captain,  hist!"  interrupted  Bob, 
holding  up  a  finger,  to  repress  the  other's  animation, 
and  intimating,  by  a  sign,  that  their  conference  must 
be  held  in  lower  tones  ;  "  there  is  no  need  to  call  all 
hands  to  help  us  through  a  little  chat.  In  what  way 
have  I  fallen  to  leeward  of  your  favour,  Captain?" 

"  In  what  way,  sirrah !  Did  you  not  receive  money, 
to  give  such  a  character  of  this  ship  to  the  ladies  as 
(you  said  yourself)  would  make  them  sooner  pass 
the  night  in  a  churchyard,  than  trust  foot  on  board 
her?" 

"  Something  of  the  sort  passed  between  us,  Cap 
tain  ;  but  you  forgot  one  half  of  the  conditions,  and 
I  of  erlooked  the  other ;  and  I  need  not  tell  so  expert 
a  navigator,  that  two  halves  make  a  whole.  No 
wonder,  therefore,  that  the  affair  dropt  through  be 
tween  us." 

"  How  !  Do  you  add  falsehood  to  perfidy  ?  What 
part  of  my  engagement  did  I  neglect  ?" 

"  What  part !"  returned  the  pretended  fisherman, 
leisurely  drawing  in  a  line,  which  the  quick  eye  of 
Wilder  saw,  though  abundantly  provided  with  lead 
at  the  end,  was  destitute  of  the  equally  material  im 
plement — the  hook  ;  "  What  part,  Captain !  No  less 
a  particular  than  the  second  guinea." 

14  It  was  to  have  been  the  reward  of  a  service 


THE  RED  ROVER.  213 

done,  and  not  an  earnest,  like  its  fellow,  to  induce 
you  to  undertake  the  duty." 

"  Ah !  you  have  helped  me  to  the  very  word  I 
wanted.  1  fancied  it  was  not  in  earnest,  like  the  one 
I  got,  and  so  I  left  the  job  half  finished." 

"  Half  finished,  scoundrel !  you  never  commenced 
what  you  swore  so  stoutly  to  perform." 

"  Now  are  you  on  as  wrong  a  course,  my  Master, 
as  if  you  steered  due  east  to  get  to  the  Pole.  I  re 
ligiously  performed  one  half  rny  undertaking ;  and, 
you  will  acknowledge,  I  was  only  half  paid." 

"  You  would  find  it  difficult  to  prove  that  you 
even  did  that  little." 

"  Let  us  look  into  the  log.  I  enlisted  to  walk  up 
the  hill  as  far  as  the  dwelling  of  the  good  Admiral's 
widow,  and  there  to  make  certain  alterations  in  my 
sentiments,  which  it  is  not  necessary  to  speak  of 
between  us." 

"  Which  you  did  not  make  ;  but,  on  the  contrary, 
which  you  thwarted,  by  telling  an  exactly  contra 
dictory  tale." 

"True." 

"  True  !  knave  ? — Were  justice  done  you,  an  ac 
quaintance  with  a  rope's  end  would  be  a  merited 
reward." 

"  A  squall  of  words ! — If  your  ship  steer  as  wild 
as  your  ideas,  Captain,  you  will  make  a  crooked 
passage  to  the  south.  Do  you  not  think  it  an  easier 
matter,  for  an  old  man  like  me,  to  tell  a  few  lies 
than  to  climb  yonder  long  and  heavy  hill?  In  strict 
justice,  more  than  half  my  duty  was  done  when  I 
got  into  the  presence  of  the  believing  widow ;  and 
then  I  concluded  to  refuse  the  half  of  the  reward 
that  was  unpaid,  and  to  take  bounty  from  t'other 
side." 

"  Villain  !"  exclaimed  Wilder,  a  little  blinded  by 
resentment,  "  even  your  years  shall  no  longer  pro 
tect  you  from  punishment.  Forward,  there  !  send 


214  THE    RED    ROVER. 

a  crew  into  the  jolly  boat,  sir,  And  bring  me  this  old 
fellow  in  the  skiff  on  board  the  ship.  Pay  no  atten 
tion  to  his  outcries  ;  I  have  an  account  to  settle  with 
him,  that  cannot  be  balanced  without  a  little  noise." 

The  mate,  to  whom  this  order  was  addressed,  and 
who  had  answered  the  hail,  jumped  on  the  rail,  where 
he  got  sight  of  the  craft  he  was  commanded  to  chase. 
In  less  than  a  minute  he  was  in  the  boat,  with  four 
men,  and  pulling  round  the  bows  of  the  ship,  in  c 
der  to  get  on  the  side  necessary  to  effect  his  object. 
The  self-styled  Bob  Bunt  gave  one  or  two  strokes 
with  his  skulls,  and  sent  the  skiff  some  twenty  or 
thirty  fathoms  off,  where  he  lay,  chuckling  like  a 
man  who  saw  only  the  success  of  his  cunning,  with 
out  any  apparent  apprehensions  of  the  consequences 
But,  the  moment  the  boat  appeared  in  view,  he  laid 
himself  to  the  work  with  vigorous  arms,  and  soon 
convinced  the  spectators  that  his  capture  was  not  to 
be  achieved  without  abundant  difficulty. 

For  some  little  time,  it  was  doubtful  what  course 
the  fugitive  meant  to  take  ;  for  he  kept  whirling  and 
turning  in  swift  and  sudden  circles,  completely  con 
fusing  a-nd  baffling  his  pursuers,  by  his  skilful  ana 
light  evolutions.  But,  soon  tiring  of  this  taunting 
amusement,  or  perhaps  apprehensive  of  exhausting 
his  own  strength,  which  was  powerfully  and  most 
dexterously  exerted,  it  was  not  long  before  he  darted 
off  in  a  perfectly  straight  line,  taking  the  direction 
of  the  "  Rover." 

The  chase  now  grew  hot  and  earnest,  exciting  the 
clamour  and  applause  of  most  of  the  nautical  spec 
tators.  The  result,  for  a  time,  seemed  doubtful ;  but, 
if  any  thing,  the  jolly  boat,  though  some  distance 
astern,  began  to  gain,  as  it  gradually  overcame  the 
resistance  of  the  water.  In  a  very  few  minutes, 
however,  the  skiff  shot  under  the  stern  of  the  other 
ship,  and  disappeared,  bringing  the  hull  of  the  vessel 
ir.  a  line  with  the  "  Caroline"  and  its  course.  The 


THE    RED    ROVER.  215 

pursuers  were  not  long  in  taking  the  same  direction , 
and  then  the  seamen  of  the  latter  ship  began,  laugh 
ingly,  to  climb  the  rigging,  in  order  to  command  a 
further  view,  over  the  intervening  object. 

Nothing,  however,  was  to  be  seen  beyond  but 
water,  and  the  still  more  distant  island,  with  its  little 
fort.  In  a  few  minutes,  the  crew  of  the  jolly  boat 
were  observed  pulling  back  in  their  path,  returning 
slowly,  like  men  who  were  disappointed.  All  crowd 
ed  to  the  side  of  the  ship,  in  order  to  hear  the  ter 
mination  of  the  adventure;  the  noisy  assemblage 
even  drawing  the  two  passengers  from  the  cabin  to 
the  deck.  Instead,  however,  of  meeting  the  questions 
of  their  shipmates  with  the  usual  wordy  narrative  ol 
men  of  their  condition,  the  crew  of  the  boat  wore 
startled  and  bewildered  looks.  Their  officer  sprang 
to  the  deck  without  speaking,  and  immediately  sought 
his  Commander. 

"  The  skiff  was  too  light  for  you,  Mr  Nighthead," 
Wilder  calmly  observed,  as  the  other  approached, 
having  never  moved,  himself,  from  the  place  where 
he  had  been  standing  during  the  whole  proceeding. 

"  Too  light,  sir !  Are  you  acquainted  with  the  man 
who  pulled  it  ?" 

"  Not  particularly  well :  I  only  know  him  for  a 
knave." 

"  He  should  be  one,  since  he  is  of  the  family  of 
the  devil !" 

"  I  will  not  take  on  myself  to  say  he  is  as  bad  as 
you  appear  to  think,  though  I  have  little  reason  to 
believe  he  has  any  honesty  to  cast  into  the  sea. 
What  has  become  of  him  ?" 

"A  question  easily  asked,  but  hard  to  answer. 
In  the  first  place,  though  an  old  and  a  graj -headed 
fellow,  he  twitched  his  skiff  along  as  if  it  floated  in 
air.  We  were  not  a  minute,  or  two  at  the  most,  be 
hind  him ;  but,  when  we  got  on  the  other  side  of  the 
slaver,  boat  and  man  had  vanished !" 


216  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  He  doubled  her  bows  while  you  were  crossing 
the  stern." 

"  Did  you  see  him,  then  ?" 

"  I  confess  we  did  not." 

"  It  could  not  be,  sir ;  since  we  pulled  far  enough 
ahead  to  examine  on  both  sides  at  once ;  besides,  the 
people  of  the  slaver  knew  nothing  of  him." 

"  You  saw  the  slaver's  people  ?" 

"  I  should  have  said  her  man ;  for  there  is  seem 
ingly  but  one  hand  on  board  her." 

"  And  how  was  he  employed  ?" 

"  He  was  seated  in  the  chains,  and  seem'd  to  have 
been  asleep.  It  is  a  lazy  ship,  sir ;  and  one  that 
takes  more  money  from  her  owners,  I  fancy,  than  it 
ever  returns  !" 

"  It  may  be  so.  Well,  let  the  rogue  escape.  There 
is  the  prospect  of  a  breeze  coming  in  from  the  sea, 
Mr  Earing ;  we  will  get  our  top-sails  to  the  mast-heads 
again,  and  be  in  readiness  for  it.  I  could  like  yet  to 
see  the  sun  set  in  the  water." 

The  mates  and  the  crew  went  cheerfully  to  their 
task,  though  many  a  curious  question  was  asked,  by 
the  wondering  seamen,  of  their  shipmates  who  had 
been  in  the  boat,  and  many  a  solemn  answer  was 
given,  while  they  were  again  spreading  the  canvas, 
to  invite  the  breeze.  Wilder  turned,  in  the  mean 
time,  to  Mrs  Wyllys,  who  had  been  an  auditor  of 
his  short  conversation  with  the  mate. 

"  You  perceive,  Madam,"  he  said,  "  that  our  voy 
age  does  not  commence  without  its  omens  " 

"  When  you  tell  me,  inexplicable  young  man,  with 
the  air  of  singular  sincerity  you  sometimes  possess, 
that  we  are  unwise  in  trusting  to  the  ocean,  I  am 
half  inclined  to  put  faith  in  what  you  say ;  but  when 
you  attempt  to  enforce  your  advice  with  the  ma 
chinery  of  witchcraft,  you  only  induce  me  to  pro 
ceed." 

"Man  the  windlass !"  cried  Wilder,  with  a  look 


THE  RED  ROVER.  217 

that  seemed  to  tell  his  companions,  If  you  are  so 
stout  of  heart,  the  opportunity  to  show  your  resolu 
tion  shall  not  be  wanting.  "  Man  the  windlass  there ! 
We  will  try  the  breeze  again,  and  work  the  ship  into 
the  offing  while  there  is  light." 

The  clattering  of  handspikes  preceded  the  mari 
ners'  song.  Then  the  heavy  labour,  by  which  the 
ponderous  iron  was  lifted  from  the  bottom,  was 
again  resumed,  and,  in  a  few  more  minutes,  the  ship 
was  once  more  released  from  her  hold  upon  the  land. 

The  wind  soon  came  fresh  off  the  ocean,  charged 
with  the  saline  dampness  of  the  element.  As  the 
air  fell  upon  the  distended  and  balanced  sails,  the 
ship  bowed  to  the  welcome  guest ;  and  then,  rising 
gracefully  from  its  low  inclination,  the  breeze  was 
heard  singing,  through  the  maze  of  rigging,  the  mu 
sic  that  is  ever  grateful  to  a  seaman's  ear.  The  wel 
come  sounds,  and  the  freshness  of  the  peculiar  air 
gave  additional  energy  to  the  movements  of  the 
men.  The  anchor  was  stowed,  the  ship  cast,  the 
lighter  sails  set,  the  courses  had  fallen,  and  the  bows 
of  the  "  Caroline"  were  throwing  the  spray  before 
her,  ere  another  ten  minutes  had  gone  by. 

Wilder  had  now  undertaken  himself  the  task  of 
running  his  vessel  between  the  islands  of  Connanni- 
cut  and  Rhode.  Fortunately  for  the  heavy  respon 
sibility  he  had  assumed,  the  channel  was  not  diffi 
cult,  and  the  wind  had  veered  so  far  to  the  east  as 
to  give  him  a  favourable  opportunity,  after  making 
a  short  stretch  to  windward,  of  laying  through  in  a 
single  reach.  But  this  stretch  would  bring  him  un 
der  the  necessity  of  passing  very  near  the  "  Rover," 
or  of  losing  no  small  portion  of  his  Vantage  ground. 
He  did  not  hesitate.  When  the  vessel  was  as  nigh 
the  weather  shore  as  his  busy  lead  told  him  was  pru 
dent,  the  ship  was  tacked,  and  her  head  laid  direct 
ly  towards  the  still  motionless  and  seemingly  unob 
servant  slaver. 

T 


218  THE   RED    ROVER. 

The  approach  of  the  "  Caroline"  was  far  more 
propitious  than  before.  The  wind  was  steady,  and 
her  crew  held  her  in  hand,  as  a  skilful  rider  governs 
the  action  of  a  fiery  and  mettled  steed.  Still  the 
passage  was  not  made  without  exciting  a  breathless 
interest  in  every  soul  in  the  Bristol  trader.  Each 
individual  had  his  own  secret  cause  of  curiosity 
To  the  seamen,  the  strange  ship  began  to  be  the  sub 
iect  of  wonder ;  the  governess,  and  her  ward,  scarce 
Knew  the  reasons  of  their  emotions  ;  while  Wildei 
was  but  too  well  instructed  in  the  nature  of  the 
hazard  that  all  but  himself  were  running.  As  be 
fore,  the  man  at  the  wheel  was  about  to  indulge  his 
nautical  pride,  by  going  to  windward  ;  but,  although 
the  experiment  would  now  have  been  attended  with 
but  little  hazard,  he  was  commanded  to  proceed  dif 
ferently. 

"  Pass  the  slaver's  lee-beam,  sir,"  said  Wilder  to 
him,  with  a  gesture  of  authority  ;  and  then  the  young 
Captain  went  himself  to  lean  on  the  weather-rail, 
like  every  other  idler  on  board,  to  examine  the  ob 
ject  they  were  so  fast  approaching.  As  the  "  Caro 
line"  came  boldly  up,  seeming  to  bear  the  breeze  be 
fore  her,  the  sighing  of  the  wind,  as  it  murmured 
through  the  rigging  of  the  stranger,  was  the  only 
sound  that  issued  from  her.  Not  a  single  human 
face,  not  even  a  secret  and  curious  eye,  was  any 
where  to  be  seen.  The  passage  was  of  course  rapid , 
and,  as  the  two  vessels,  for  an  instant,  lay  with  heads 
and  sterns  nearly  equal,  Wilder  thought  it  was  to  be 
made  without  the  slightest  notice  from  the  imaginary 
slaver.  But  he  was  mistaken.  A  light,  active  form, 
in  the  undress  attire  of  a  naval  officer,  sprang  upon 
the  taflfrail,  and  waved  a  sea-cap  in  salute.  The  in 
stant  the  fair  hair  was  blowing  about  the  coun 
tenance  of  this  individual,  Wilder  recognized  the 
quick,  keen  eye  and  features  of  the  Rover. 


THE    RED    KOVEft.  219 

"  Think  you  the  wind  will  hold  here,  sir  ?"  shout 
ed  the  latter,  at  the  top  of  his  voice. 

"  It  has  come  in  fresh  enough  to  he  steady,"  was 
the  answer. 

"  A  wise  mariner  would  get  all  his  easting  in  time 
to  me,  there  is  a  smack  of  West-Indies  about  it." 

*4  You  believe  we  shall  have  it  more  at  south  ?" 

"  I  do :  But  a  taught  bow-line,  for  the  night,  wiL 
carry  you  clear." 

By  this  time  the  "  Caroline"  had  swept  by,  and 
she  was  now  luffing,  across  the  slaver's  bows,  into 
her  course  again.  The  figure  on  the  taffrail  waved 
high  the  sea-cap  in  adieu,  and  disappeared. 

"  Is  it  possible  that  such  a  man  can  traffic  in  hu 
man  beings  !"  exclaimed  Gertrude,  when  the  sound? 
of  both  voices  had  ceased. 

Receiving  no  reply,  she  turned  quickly,  to  regard 
her  companion.  The  governess  was  standing  like  a 
being  entranced,  with  her  eyes  looking  on  vacancy  • 
for  they  had  not  changed  their  direction  since  the 
motion  of  the  vessel  had  carried  her  beyond  the 
countenance  of  the  stranger.  As  Gertrude  took  her 
hand,  and  repeated  the  question,  the  recollection  of 
Mrs  Wyllys  returned.  Passing  her  own  hand  over 
her  brow,  with  a  bewildered  air,  she  forced  a  smile 
as  she  said, — 

"  The  meeting  of  vessels,  or  the  renewal  of  any 
maritime  experience,  never  fails  to  revive  my  earli 
est  recollections,  love.  But  surely  that  was  an  ex 
tra ordinary  being,  who  has  at  length  shown  himself 
in  the  slaver !" 

"  For  a  slaver,  most  extraordinary !" 

Wyilys  leaned  her  head  on  her  hand  for  an  instant, 
and  then  turned  to  seek  the  person  of  Wilder.   The 
young  mariner  was  standing  near,  studying  the  ex 
pression  of  her  countenance,  with  an  interest  scarce 
ty  less  remarkable  than  her  own  air  of  thought. 


220  THE    RED    ROVER. 

u  Tell  me,  young  man,  is  yonder  individual  the 
Commander  of  the  slaver  ?" 

"  He  is." 

"  You  know  him  ?" 

"  We  have  met." 

"  And  he  is  called" 

"  The  Master  of  yon  ship.  I  know  no  other  name.1 

"  Gertrude,  we  will  seek  our  cabin.  When  the 
land  is  leaving  us,  Mr  Wilder  will  have  the  goodness 
to  let  us  know." 

The  latter  bowed  his  assent,  and  the  ladies  then 
left  the  deck.  The  "  Caroline"  had  now  the  pros 
pect  of  getting  speedily  to  sea.  In  order  to  effect 
this  object,  Wilder  had  every  thing,  that  would 
draw,  set  to  the  utmost  advantage.  One  hundred 
times,  at  least,  however,  did  he  turn  his  head,  to 
steal  a  look  at  the  vessel  he  had  left  behind.  She 
ever  lay  as  when  they  passed — a  regular,  beautiful 
but  motionless  object,  in  the  bay.  From  each  of 
these  furtive  examinations,  our  adventurer  invariably 
cast  an  excited  and  impatient  glance  at  the  sails  of 
his  own  ship ;  ordering  this  to  be  drawn  tighter  to 
the  spar  beneath,  or  that  to  be  more  distended  along 
its  mast. 

The  effect  of  so  much  solicitude,  united  with  so 
much  skill,  was  to  urge  the  Bristol  trader  through 
her  element  at  a  rate  she  had  rarely,  if  ever,  surpass 
ed.  It  was  not  long  before  the  land  ceased  to  be 
seen  on  her  two  beams,  and  then  it  was  only  to  be 
traced  in  the  blue  islands  in  their  rear,  or  in  a  long, 
dim  horizon,  to  the  north  and  west,  where  the  lim 
its  of  the  vast  Continent  stretches  for  countless 
leagues.  The  passengers  were  now  summoned  to' 
take  their  parting  look  at  the  land,  and  the  officers 
were  seen  noting  their  departures.  Just  before  the 
day  shut  in,  and  ere  the  islands  were  entirely  sunk 
into  the  waves,  Wilder  ascended  to  an  upper  yard 


THE    RED    ROVER.  221 

bearing  in  his  hand  a  glass.  His  gaze,  towards  the 
haven  he  had  left,  was  long,  anxious,  and  abstracted. 
But  his  descent  was  distinguished  by  a  more  quiet 
eye,  and  a  calmer  mien.  A  smile,  like  that  of  suc 
cess,  played  about  his  lips  ;  and  he  gave  his  orders 
clearly,  in  a  cheerful,  encouraging  voice.  They 
were  obeyed  as  briskly.  The  elder  mariners  pointed 
to  the  seas,  as  they  cut  through  them,  and  affirmed 
that  never  had  the  "  Caroline"  made  such  progress. 
The  mates  cast  the  log,  and  nodded  their  approba 
tion,  as  one  announced  to  the  other  the  unwonted 
speed  of  the  ship.  In  short,  content  and  hilarity 
reigned  on  board  ;  for  it  was  deemed  that  their  pas 
sage  was  commenced  under  such  auspices  as  would 
lead  it  to  a  speedy  and  a  prosperous  termination.  In 
the  midst  of  these  encouraging  omens,  the  sun  dipped 
into  the  sea,  illuming,  as  it  fell,  a  wide  reach  of  the 
chill  and  gloomy  element.  Then  the  shades  of  the 
hour  began  to  gather  over  the  vast  surface  of  the 
illimitable  waste. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

"  So  foul  and  fair  a  day  I  have  not  seen."—  Macbeth. 

THE  first  watch  of  the  night  was  marked  by  no 
change.  Wilder  had  joined  his  passengers,  cheerful, 
and  with  that  air  of  enjoyment  which  every  officer 
of  the  sea  is  more  or  less  wont  to  exhibit,  when  he 
has  disengaged  his  vessel  from  the  dangers  of  the  land, 
and  has  fairly  launched  her  on  the  trackless  and  fath 
omless  abyss  of  the  ocean.  He  no  longer  alluded 
*o  the  hazards  of  the  passage,  but  strove,  by  the 
thousand  nameless  assiduities  which  his  station  en 
abled  him  to  manifest,  to  expel  all  recollection  of 
what  had  passed  from  their  minds.  Mrs  Wyllys  lent 
T2 


222  THE    RED    ROVER. 

herself  to  his  evident  efforts  to  remove  their  appre 
hensions  ;  and  o~ie,  ignorant  of  what  had  occurred 
between  them,  would  have  thought  the  little  party, 
around  the  evening's  repast,  was  a  contented  and 
unsuspecting  group  of  travellers,  who  had  commenc 
ed  their  enterprise  under  the  happiest  auguries. 

Still  there  was  that,  in  the  thoughtful  eye  and 
clouded  brow  of  the  governess,  as  at  times  she  turn 
ed  her  bewildered  look  on  our  adventurer,  which 
denoted  a  mind  far  from  being  at  ease.  She  listened 
to  the  gay  and  peculiar,  because  professional,  sallies 
of  the  young  mariner,  with  smiles  that  were  indul 
gent,  while  they  were  melancholy,  as  though  his 
youthful  spirits,  exhibited  as  they  were  by  touches 
of  a  humour  that  was  thoroughly  and  quaintly  nau 
tical,  recalled  familiar,  but  sad,  images  to  her  fancy. 
Gertrude  had  less  alloy  in  her  pleasure.  Home,  with 
a  beloved  and  indulgent  father,  were  before  her; 
and  she  felt,  while  the  ship  yielded  to  each  fresh  im 
pulse  of  the  wind,  as  if  another  of  those  weary  miles 
which  had  so  long  separated  them,  was  already  con 
quered. 

During  these  short  but  pleasant  hours,  the  adven 
turer,  who  had  been  so  oddly  called  into  the  com 
mand  of  the  Bristol  trader,  appeared  in  a  new  char 
acter.  Though  his  conversation  was  characterized 
by  the  frank  manliness  of  a  seaman,  it  was,  never 
theless,  tempered  by  the  delicacy  of  perfect  breeding. 
The  beautiful  mouth  of  Gertrude  often  struggled  to 
conceal  the  smiles  which  played  around  her  lips  and 
dimpled  her  cheeks,  like  a  soft  air  ruffling  the  surface 
of  some  limpid  spring ;  and  once  or  twice,  when  the 
humour  of  Wilder  came  unexpectedly  across  her 
youthful  fancy,  she  was  compelled  to  yield  to  the  im 
pulses  of  an  irresistible  merriment. 

One  hour  of  the  free  intercourse  of  a  ship  can  do 
more  towards  softening  the  cold  exterior  in  which 
the  world  encrusts  the  best  of  human  feelings,  than 


THE    RED    ROVER.  223 

weeks  of  the  unmeaning  ceremonies  of  the  land. 
He  who  has  not  felt  this  truth,  would  do  well  to  dis 
trust  his  own  companionable  qualities.  It  would  seem 
that  man,  when  he  finds  himself  in  the  solitude  of 
the  ocean,  feels  the  deepest  how  great  is  his  depend- 
ancy  on  others  for  happiness.  Then  it  is  that  he 
yields  to  sentiments  with  which  he  trifled,  in  the 
wantonness  of  abundance,  and  is  glad  to  seek  relief 
in  the  sympathies  of  his  kind.  A  community  of  haz 
ard  makes  a  community  of  interest,  whether  person 
or  property  composes  the  stake.  Perhaps  a  meta 
physical,  and  a  too  literal,  reasoner  might  add,  that, 
as  in  such  situations  each  one  is  conscious  the  con 
dition  and  fortunes  of  his  neighbour  are  the  mere 
indexes  of  his  own,  they  acquire  value  in  his  eyes 
from  their  affinity  to  himself.  If  this  conclusion  be 
true,  Providence  has  happily  so  constituted  the  best 
of  the  species,  that  the  sordid  feeling  is  too  latent  to 
be  discovered ;  and  least  of  all  was  any  one  of  the 
three,  who  passed  the  first  hours  of  the  night  around 
the  cabin  table  of  the  "  Royal  Caroline,"  to  be  in 
cluded  in  so  selfish  a  class.  The  nature  of  the  in 
tercourse,  which  had  rendered  the  first  hours  of  their 
acquaintance  so  singularly  equivocal,  appeared  to  be 
forgotten  in  the  freedom  of  the  moment ;  or,  if  it 
were  remembered  at  all,  it  merely  served  to  give  the 
young  seaman  additional  interest  in  the  eyes  of  the 
females,  as  much  by  the  mystery  of  the  circumstances 
as  by  the  evident  concern  he  had  manifested  in  their 
behaft 

The  bell  had  struck  eight ;  and  the  hoarse  long- 
drawn  call,  which  summoned  the  sleepers  to  the 
deck,  was  heard,  before  either  of  the  party  seemed 
aware  of  the  lateness  of  the  hour. 

"  It  is  the  middle  watch,"  said  Wilder,  smiling  as 
he  observed  that  Gertrude  started  at  the  strange 
sounds,  and  sat  listening,  like  a  timid  doe  that  catch- 
ss  the  note  of  the  hunter's  horn.  "  We  seamen  are 


224  THE  RED  ROVER. 

not  always  musical,  as  you  may  judge  by  the  strains 
of  the  spokesman  on  this  occasion.  There  are, 
however,  ears  in  the  ship  to  whom  his  notes  are  even 
more  discordant  than  to  your  own." 

"  You  mean  the  sleepers  7"  said  Mrs  Wyllys. 

"  I  mean  the  watch  below.  There  is  nothing  so 
sweet  to  the  foremast  mariner  as  his  sleep ;  for  it  is 
the  most  precarious  of  all  his  enjoyments :  on  the 
other  hand,  perhaps,  it  is  the  most  treacherous  com 
panion  the  Commander  knows." 

"  And  why  is  the  rest  of  the  superior  so  much  less 
grateful  than  that  of  the  common  man  ?" 

"  Because  he  pillows  his  head  on  responsibility." 

"  You  are  young,  Mr  Wilder,  for  a  trust  like  this 
you  bear." 

41  It  is  a  service  which  makes  us  all  prematurely 
old." 

"  Then,  why  not  quit  it  ?"  said  Gertrude,  a  little 
hastily. 

"  Quit  it !"  he  replied,  gazing  at  her  intently,,  for 
an  instant,  while  he  suspended  his  reply.  "  It  would 
be  to  me  like  quitting  the  air  we  breathe." 

44  Have  you  so  long  been  devoted  to  your  profes 
sion  ?"  resumed  Mrs  Wyllys,  bending  her  thought 
ful  eye,  from  the  ingenuous  countenance  of  her 
pupil,  once  more  towards  the  features  of  him  she 
addressed. 

44 1  have  reason  to  think  I  was  born  on  the  sea." 

44  Think !  You  surely  know  your  birth-place." 

44  We  are  all  of  us  dependant  on  the  testimony  of 
others,"  said  Wilder,  smiling,  44  for  the  account  of 
that  important  event.  My  earliest  recollections  are 
blended  with  the  sight  of  the  ocean,  and  I  can  hardly 
say  that  I  am  a  creature  of  the  land  at  all." 

44  You  have,  at  least,  been  fortunate  in  those  who 
have  had  the  charge  to  watch  over  your  education 
and  your  younger  days." 

44 1  have!"  he  answered,  with  strong  emphasis* 


THE    RED    ROVER.  225 

Then,  after  shading  his  face  an  instant  with  his 
hands,  he  arose,  and  added,  with  a  melancholy 
smile :  "  And  now  to  my  last  duty  for  the  twenty 
four  hours.  Have  you  a  disposition  to  look  at  the 
night  ?  So  skilful  and  so  stout  a  sailor  should  not 
seek  her  birth,  without  passing  an  opinion  on  the 
weather." 

The  governess  took  his  offered  arm,  and,  with  his 
aid,  ascended  the  stairs  of  the  cabin  in  silence,  each 
seemingly  finding  sufficient  employment  in  medita 
tion.  She  was  followed  by  the  more  youthful,  and 
therefore  more  active  Gertrude,  who  joined  them, 
as  they  stood  together,  on  the  weather  side  of  the 
quarter-deck. 

The  night  was  rather  misty  than  dark.  A  full  and 
bright  moon  had  arisen;  but  it  pursued  its  path, 
through  the  heavens,  behind  a  body  of  dusky  clouds, 
that  was  much  too  dense  for  any  borrowed  rays  to 
penetrate.  Here  and  there,  a  straggling  gleam  ap 
peared  to  find  its  way  through  a  covering  of  vapour 
less  dense  than  the  rest,  and  fell  upon  the  water  like 
the  dim  illumination  of  a  distant  taper.  As  the  wind 
was  fresh  and  easterly,  the  sea  seemed  to  throw  up 
ward,  from  its  agitated  surface,  more  light  than  it  re 
ceived  ;  long  lines  of  white,  glittering  foam  follow 
ing  each  other,  and  lending,  at  moments,  a  distinct 
ness  to  the  surface  of  the  waters,  that  the  heavens 
themselves  wanted.  The  ship  was  bowed  low  on 
its  side ;  and,  as  it  entered  each  rolling  swell  of  the 
ocean,  a  wide  crescent  of  foam  was  driven  ahead, 
as  if  the  element  gambolled  along  its  path.  But, 
though  the  time  was  propitious,  the  wind  not  abso- 
utely  adverse,  and  the  heavens  rather  gloomy  than 
threatening,  an  uncertain  (and,  to  a  landsman,  it 
might  seem  an  unnatural)  light  gave  to  the  view  a 
character  of  the  wildest  loneliness. 

Gertrude  shuddered,  on  reaching  the  deck,  while 
she  murmured  an  expression  of  strange  delight 


226  THE    RED   ROVER. 

Even  Mrs  Wyllys  gazed  upon  the  dark  waves,  that 
were  heaving  and  setting  in  the  horizon,  around 
which  was  shed  most  of  that  radiance  that  seemed 
so  supernatural,  with  a  deep  conviction  that  she  was 
now  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the  Being  who  had 
created  the  waters  and  the  land.  But  Wilder  look 
ed  upon  the  scene  as  one  fastens  his  gaze  on  a  placid 
sky.  To  him  the  view  possessed  neither  novelty, 
nor  dread,  nor  charm.  Not  so,  however,  with  his 
more  youthful  and  slightly  enthusiastic  companion. 
After  the  first  sensations  of  awe  had  a  little  subsided, 
she  exclaimed,  in  the  fullest  ardour  of  admiration, — 

"  One  such  sight  would  repay  a  month  of  impris 
onment  in  a  ship  !  You  must  find  deep  enjoyment 
in  these  scenes,  Mr  Wilder ;  you,  who  have  thorn 
always  at  command." 

"  Yes,  yes  ;  there  is  pleasure  to  be  found  in  them, 
without  doubt.  I  would  that  the  wind  had  veer'd 
a  point  or  two  !  I  like  not  that  sky,  nor  yonder  mis 
ty  horizon,  nor  this  breeze  hanging  so  dead  at  east." 

"  The  vessel  makes  great  progress,"  returned  Mrs 
Wyllys,  calmly,  observing  that  the  young  man  spoke 
without  consciousness,  and  fearing  the  effect  of  his 
words  on  the  mind  of  her  pupil.  "  If  we  are  going 
on  our  course,  there  is  the  appearance  of  a  quick 
and  prosperous  passage." 

"  True  !"  exclaimed  Wilder,  as  though  he  had  just 
become  conscious  of  her  presence.  "  Quite  proba 
ble,  and  very  true.  Mr  Earing,  the  air  is  getting  too 
heavy  for  that  duck.  Hand  all  your  top-gallant  sails, 
and  haul  the  ship  up  closer.  Should  the  wind  hang 
here  at  east-with-southing,  we  may  want  what  offing 
we  can  get." 

The  mate  replied  in  the  prompt  and  obedient 
manner  which  seamen  use  to  their  superiors  ;  and, 
after  scanning  the  signs  of  the  weather  for  a  moment, 
he  promptly  proceeded  to  see  the  order  executed. 
While  the  men  were  on  the  yards  furling  the  ligh* 


THE    RED    ROVE*.  22? 

canvas,  the  females  walked  apart,  leaving  the  young 
Commander  to  the  uninterrupted  discharge  of  his 
duty.  But  Wilder,  so  far  from  deeming  it  necessary 
to  lend  his  attention  to  so  ordinary  a  service,  the  mo 
ment  after  he  had  spoken,  seemed  perfectly  uncon 
scious  that  the  mandate  had  issued  from  his  mouth. 
He  stood  on  the  precise  spot  where  the  view  of  the 
ocean  and  the  heavens  had  first  caught  his  eye,  and 
his  gaze  still  continued  fastened  on  the  aspect  of  the 
two  elements.  His  look  was  always  in  the  direction 
of  the  wind,  which,  though  far  from  a  gale,  often 
fell  upon  the  sails  of  the  ship  in  heavy  and  sullen 
puffs.  After  a  long  and  anxious  examination,  the 
young  mariner  muttered  his  thoughts  to  himself,  and 
commenced  pacing  the  deck  with  rapid  footsteps. 
Still  he  would  make  sudden  and  short  pauses,  and 
again  rivet  his  gaze  on  the  point  of  the  compass 
whence  the  hlasts  came  sweeping  across  the  waste 
of  waters ;  as  though  he  distrusted  the  weather,  and 
would  fain  cause  his  keen  glance  to  penetrate  the 
gloom  of  night,  in  order  to  relieve  some  painful 
doubts.  At  length  his  step  became  arrested,  in  one 
of  those  quick  turns  that  he  made  at  each  end  of  h. 
narrow  walk.  Mrs  Wyllys  and  Gertrude  stood  nigh, 
and  were  enabled  to  read  something  of  the  anxious 
character  of  his  countenance,  as  his  eye  became 
suddenly  fastened  on  a  distant  point  of  the  ocean, 
though  in  a  quarter  exactly  opposite  to  that  whither 
his  former  looks  had  been  directed. 

"Do  you  so  much  distrust  the  weather?"  asked 
the  governess,  when  she  thought  his  examination 
had  endured  long  enough  to  become  ominous  of  evil. 

"  One  looks  not  to  leeward  for  the  signs  of  the 
weather,  in  a  breeze  like  this,"  was  the  answer. 

"  What  see  you,  then,  to  fasten  your  eye  on  thus 
intently  ?" 

Wilder  slowly  raised  his  arm,  and  was  about  to 


228  THE    RED    ROVER. 

point  with  his  finger,  when  the  limb  suddenly  fell 
again. 

"  It  was  delusion  !"  he  muttered,  turning  quickly 
on  his  heel,  and  pacing  the  deck  still  more  rapidly 
than  ever. 

His  companions  watched  the  extraordinary,  and 
apparently  unconscious,  movements  of  the  young 
Commander,  with  amazement,  and  not  without  a 
little  secret  dismay.  Their  own  looks  wandered 
over  the  expanse  of  troubled  water  to  leeward,  but 
nowhere  could  they  see  more  than  the  tossing  ele 
ment,  capped  with  those  ridges  of  garish  foam  which 
served  only  to  make  the  chilling  waste  more  dreary 
and  imposing. 

"  We  see  nothing,"  said  Gertrude,  when  Wilder 
again  stopped  in  his  walk,  and  once  more  gazed,  as 
before,  on  the  seeming  void. 

"  Look  !"  he  answered,  directing  their  eyes  with 
his  finger:  "Is  there  nothing  there ?" 

"  Nothing." 

"  You  look  into  the  sea.  Here,  just  where  the  hea 
vens  and  the  waters  meet ;  along  that  streak  of  misty 
light,  into  which  the  waves  are  tossing  themselves, 
like  little  hillocks  on  the  land.  There ;  now  'tis 
smooth  again,  and  my  eyes  did  not  deceive  me.  By 
heavens,  it  is  a  ship !" 

"  Sail,  ho  !"  shouted  a  voice,  from  out  atop,  which 
sounded  in  the  ears  of  our  adventurer  like  the 
croaking  of  some  sinister  spirit,  sweeping  across  the 
deep. 

"  Whereaway  ?"  was  the  stern  demand. 

41  Here  on  our  lee-quarter,  sir,"  returned  the  sea 
man,  at  the  top  of  his  voice.  "  I  make  her  out  a 
ship  close-hauled ;  but,  for  an  hour  past,  she  has 
looked  more  like  mist  than  a  vessel." 

"  Ay,  he  is  right,"  muttered  Wilder ;  "  and  yet 
tis  a  strange  thing  that  a  ship  should  be  just  there.1 


THE    RED    ROVER.  229 

41  And  why  stranger  than  that  we  are  here?" 

"  Why !"  said  the  young  man,  regarding  Mrs 
Wyllys,  who  had  put  this  question,  with  a  perfectly 
unconscious  eye.  "  I  say,  'tis  strange  she  should  be 
there.  I  would  she  were  steering  northward." 

"  But  you  give  no  reason.  Are  we  always  to  have 
warnings  from  you,"  she  continued,  with  a  smile, 
u  without  reasons  ?  Do  you  deem  us  so  utterly  un 
worthy  of  a  reason  ?  or  do  you  think  us  incapable 
of  thought  on  a  subject  connected  with  the  sea? 
You  have  failed  to  make  the  essay,  and  are  too  quick 
to  decide.  Try  us  this  once.  We  may  possibly  de 
ceive  your  expectations." 

Wilder  laughed  faintly,  and  bowed,  as  if  he  re 
collected  himself.  Still  he  entered  into  no  explana 
tion  ;  but  again  turned  his  gaze  on  the  quarter  of  the 
ocean  where  the  strange  sail  was  said  to  be.  The 
females  followed  his  example,  but  ever  with  the 
same  want  of  success.  As  Gertrude  expressed  hei 
disappointment  aloud,  the  soft  tones  of  the  com 
plainant  found  their  way  to  the  ears  of  our  adven 
turer. 

"  You  see  the  streak  of  dim  light,"  he  said,  again 
pointing  across  the  waste.  "  The  clouds  have  lifted 
a  little  there,  but  the  spray  of  the  sea  is  floating  be 
tween  us  and  the  opening.  Her  spars  look  like  the 
delicate  work  of  a  spider,  against  the  sky,  and  yet 
you  see  there  are  all  the  proportions,  with  the  three 
masts,  of  a  noble  ship." 

Aided  by  these  minute  directions,  Gertrude  at 
length  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  faint  object,  and  soon 
succeeded  in  giving  the  true  direction  to  the  look  of 
her  governess  also.  Nothing  was  visible  but  the  dim 
outline,  not  unaptly  described  by  Wilder  himself  as 
resembling  a  spider's  web. 

"  It  must  be  a  ship !"  said  Mrs  Wyllys ;  "  but  at  a 
vast  distance." 

U 


230 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


"  Hum !  Would  it  were  farther.  I  could  wish  that 
vessel  any  where  but  there." 

"  And  why  not  there  ?  Have  you  reason  to  dread 
an  enemy  has  been  waiting  for  us  in  this  particular 
spot?"  " 

"  No  :  Still  I  like  not  her  position.  Would  to  God 
the  were  going  north  !" 

"  It  is  some  vessel  from  the  port  of  New  York 
steering  to  his  Majesty's  islands  in  the  Caribbean 
sea." 

"  Not  so,"  said  Wilder,  shaking  his  head ;  "  no 
vessel,  from  under  the  heights  of  Never-sink,  could 
gain  that  offing  with  a  wind  like  this  !" 

"  It  is  then  some  ship  going  into  the  same  place, 
or  perhaps  bound  for  one  of  the  bays  of  the  Middle 
Colonies  !" 

"  Her  road  would  be  too  plain  to  be  mistaken. 
See ;  the  stranger  is  close  upon  a  wind." 

"  It  may  be  a  trader,  or  a  cruiser  coming  from 
one  of  the  places  I  have  named." 

"  Neither.  The  wind  has  had  too  much  northing, 
the  last  two  days,  for  that." 

"  It  is  a  vessel  that  we  have  overtaken,  and  which 
has  come  out  of  the  waters  of  Long  Island  Sound." 

"  That,  indeed,  may  we  yet  hope,"  muttered  Wil 
der,  in  a  smothered  voice. 

The  governess,  who  had  put  the  foregoing  ques 
tions,  in  order  to  extract  from  the  Commander  of 
the  "  Caroline"  the  information  he  so  pertinaciously 
withheld,  had  now  exhausted  all  her  own  know 
ledge  on  the  subject,  and  was  compelled  to  await  his 
further  pleasure  in  the  matter,  or  resort  to  the  less 
equivocal  means  of  direct  interrogation.  But  the 
busy  state  of  Wilder's  thoughts  left  her  no  immedi 
ate  opportunity  to  pursue  the  subject.  He  soon  sum 
moned  the  officer  of  the  watch  to  his  councils,  and 
they  consulted  together,  apart,  for  many  minutes 


THE    RED    ROVER.  231 

The  hardy,  but  far  from  quick  witted,  seaman  who 
hi  led  the  second  station  in  the  ship  saw  nothing  so 
remarkable  in  the  appearance  of  a  strange  sail,  in 
the  precise  spot  where  the  dim  and  nearly  aerial 
image  of  the  unknown  vessel  was  still  visible;  nor 
did  he  hesitate  to  pronounce  her  some  honest  trader 
bent,  like  themselves,  on  her  purpose  of  lawful 
commerce.  It  would  seem  that  his  Commander 
thought  otherwise,  as  will  appear  by  the  short  dia 
logue  that  passed  between  them. 

"  Is  it  not  extraordinary  that  she  should  be  just 
there  ?"  demanded  Wilder,  after  they  had,  each  in 
turn,  made  a  closer  examination  of  the  faint  object, 
by  the  aid  of  an  excellent  night-glass. 

"  She  would  be  better  off,  here,"  returned  the  lit 
eral  seaman,  who  only  had  an  eye  for  the  nautical 
situation  of  the  stranger ;  "  and  we  should  be  none 
the  worse  for  being  a  dozen  leagues  more  to  the 
eastward,  ourselves.  If  the  wind  holds  here  at  east- 
by-south-half-south,  we  shall  have  need  of  all  that 
offing.  I  got  jammed  once  between  Hatteras  and 
the  Gulf  "— 

"  But,  do  you  not  perceive  that  she  is  where  no 
vessel  could  or  ought  to  be,  unless  she  has  run  ex 
actly  the  same  course  with  ourselves  ?"  interrupted 
Wilder.  "  Nothing,  from  any  harbour  south  of  New 
York,  could  have  such  northing,  as  the  wind  has 
been ;  while  nothing,  from  the  Colony  of  York 
would  stand  on  this  tack,  if  bound  east ;  or  would  be 
here,  if  going  southward." 

The  plain-going  ideas  of  the  honest  mate  were 
open  to  a  reasoning  which  the  reader  may  find  a  lit 
tle  obscure ;  for  his  mind  contained  a  sort  of  chart 
of  the  ocean,  to  which  he  could  at  any  time  refer, 
with  a  proper  discrimination  between  the  various 
winds,  and  all  the  different  points  of  the  compass. 
When  properly  directed,  he  was  not  slow  to  see,  as 
a  mariner,  the  probable  justice  of  his  young  Com 


232  THE    RED    ROVER. 

mander's  inferences ;  and  then  wonder,  in  its  turn 
began  to  take  possession  of  his  more  obtuse  faculties. 

"  It  is  downright  unnatural,  truly,  that  the  fellow 
should  be  there  !"  he  replied,  shaking  his  head,  but 
meaning  no  more  than  that  it  was  entirely  out  of  the 
order  of  nautical  propriety ;  "  I  see  the  philosophy 
of  what  you  say,  Captain  Wilder;  and  little  do  J 
know  how  to  explain  it.  It  is  a  stiip,  to  a  mortal 
certainty !" 

"  Of  that  there  is  no  doubt.  But  a  ship  most 
strangely  placed !" 

"  I  doubled  the  Good-Hope  in  the  year  '46, "  con 
tinued  the  other,  "  and  saw  a  vessel  lying,  as  it  might 
be,  here,  on  our  weather-bow — which  is  just  oppo 
site  to  this  fellow,  since  he  is  on  our  lee-quarter — 
but  there  I  saw  a  ship  standing  for  an  hour  across 
our  fore-foot,  and  yet,  though  we  set  the  azimuth, 
not  a  degree  did  he  budge,  starboard  or  larboard, 
during  all  that  time,  which,  as  it  was  heavy  weather, 
was,  to  say  the  least,  something  out  of  the  common 
order." 

"  It  was  remarkable  !"  returned  Wilder,  with  an 
air  so  vacant,  as  to  prove  that  he  rather  communed 
with  himself  'than  attended  to  his  companion. 

"  There  are  mariners  who  say  that  the  flying 
Dutchman  cruises  off  that  Cape,  and  that  he  often 
gets  on  the  weather  side  of  a  stranger,  and  bears 
down  upon  him,  like  a  ship  about  to  lay  him  aboard. 
Many  is  the  King's  cruiser,  as  they  say,  that  has 
turned  her  hands  up  from  a  sweet  sleep,  when  the 
look-outs  have  seen  a  double  decker  coming  down 
in  the  night,  with  ports  up,  and  batteries  lighted ; 
but  then  this  can't  be  any  such  craft  as  the  Dutch 
man,  since  she  is,  at  the  most,  no  more  than  a  large 
sloop  of  war,  if  a  cruiser  at  all." 

"  No,  no,"  said  Wilder,  "  this  can  never  be  the 
Dutchman." 

"  Yon  vessel  shows  no  lights ;  and,  for  that  mat- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  233 

ter,  she  has  such  a  misty  look,  that  one  might  well 
question  its  being  a  ship  at  all.  Then,  again,  the 
Dutchman  is  always  seen  to  windward,  and  the 
strange  sail  we  have  here  lies  broad  upon  our  lee- 
quarter  !" 

"  It  is  no  Dutchman,"  said  Wilder,  drawing  a  long 
breath,  like  a  man  awaking  from  a  trance.  "  Main 
topmast-cross-trees,  there !" 

The  man  who  was  stationed  aloft  answered  to 
this  hail  in  the  customary  manner,  the  short  conver 
sation  that  succeeded  being  necessarily  maintained 
in  shouts,  rather  than  in  speeches. 

"  How  long  have  you  seen  the  stranger  7"  was  the 
first  demand  of  Wilder. 

"  I  have  just  come  aloft,  sir  ;  but  the  man  1  reliev 
ed  tells  me  more  than  an  hour." 

"  And  has  the  man  you  relieved  come  down  ?  or 
what  is  that  I  see  sitting  on  the  lee  side  of  the  mast 
head  ?" 

"  'Tis  Bob  Brace,  sir ;  who  says  he  cannot  sleep, 
and  so  he  stays  upon  the  yard  to  keep  me  com 
pany." 

"  Send  the  man  down.     I  would  speak  to  him." 

While  the  wakeful  seaman  was  descending  the 
rigging,  the  two  officers  continued  silent,  each  seem 
ing  to  find  sufficient  occupation  in  musing  on  what 
had  already  passed. 

"  And  why  are  you  not  in  your  hammock  ?"  said 
Wilder,  a  little  sternly,  to  the  man  who,  in  obedience 
to  his  order,  had  descended  to  the  quarter-deck. 

"  I  am  not  sleep-bound,  your  Honour,  and  there 
fore  I  had  the  mind  to  pass  another  hour  aloft." 

"  And  why  are  you,  who  have  two  night-watches 
to  keep  already,  so  willing  to  enlist  in  a  third  ?" 

"  To  own  the  truth,  sir,  my  mind  has  been  a  little 
misgiving  about  this  passage,  since  the  moment  we 
lifted  our  anchor." 

Mrs  Wyllys  and  Gertrude,  who  were  auditors,  in- 
U2 


234  THE    RED    ROVER. 

sensibiy  drew  nigher,  to  listen,  with  a  species  of  in 
terest  which  betrayed  itself  by  the  thrilling  of  nerves, 
and  an  accelerated  movement  of  the  pulse. 

"  And  you  have  your  doubts,  sir !"  exclaimed  the 
Captain,  in  a  tone  of  slight  contempt  "  Pray,  may 
[  ask  what  you  have  seen,  on  board  here,  to  make 
you  distrust  the  ship." 

"  No  harm  in  asking,  your  Honour,"  returned  the 
seaman,  crushing  the  hat  he  held  between  two  hands 
that  had  a  gripe  like  a  couple  of  vices,  "  and  so  I 
hope  there  is  none  in  answering.  I  pulled  an  oar 
in  the  boat  after  the  old  man  this  morning,  and  I 
cannot  say  I  like  the  manner  in  which  he  got  from 
the  chase.  Then,  there  is  something  in  the  ship  to 
leeward  that  comes  athwart  my  fancy  like  a  drag, 
and  I  confess,  your  Honour,  that  I  should  make  but 
little  headway  in  a  nap,  though  I  should  try  the 
swing  of  a  hammock." 

"  How  long  is  it  since  you  made  the  ship  to  lee 
ward  ?"  gravely  demanded  Wilder. 

" 1  will  not  swear  that  a  real  living  ship  has  been 
made  out  at  all,  sir.  Something  I  did  see,  just  be 
fore  the  bell  struck  seven,  and  there  it  is,  just  as 
clear  and  just  as  dim,  to  be  seen  now  by  them  that 
have  good  eyes." 

"  And  how  did  she  bear  when  you  first  saw  her?" 

"  Two  or  three  points  more  toward  the  beam 
than  it  is  now." 

"  Then  we  are  passing  her  !"  exclaimed  Wilder, 
with  a  pleasure  too  evident  to  be  concealed. 

"  No,  your  Honour,  no.  You  forget,  sir,  the  ship 
lias  come  closer  to  the  wind  since  the  middle  watch 
was  set." 

"  True,"  returned  his  young  Commander,  in  a 
tone  of  disappointment ;  "  true,  very  true.  And  her 
bearing  has  not  changed  since  you  first  made  her  ?" 

"  Not  by  compass,  sir.  It  is  a  quick  boat  that,  or 
it  would  never  hold  such  way  with  the  'Royal 


THE    RED    ROVER.  235 

Caroline,'  and  that  too  upon  a  stiffened  bow-line, 
which  every  body  knows  is  the  real  play  of  this 
ship." 

"  Go,  get  you  to  your  hammock.  In  the  morning 
we  may  have  a  better  look  at  the  fellow." 

"  And — you  hear  me,  sir,"  added  the  attentive 
mate,  "  do  not  keep  the  men's  eyes  open  below,  with 
a  tale  as  long  as  the  short  cable,  but  take  your  own 
natural  rest,  and  leave  all  others,  that  have  clear 
consciences,  to  do  the  same." 

"  Mr  Earing,"  said  Wilder,  as  the  seaman  reluc 
tantly  proceeded  towards  his  place  of  rest,  "  we 
will  bring  the  ship  upon  the  other  tack,  and  get 
more  easting,  while  the  land  is  so  far  from  us. 
This  course  will  be  setting  us  upon  Hatteras.  Be 
sides" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  the  mate  replied,  observing  his  supe 
rior  to  hesitate,  "  as  you  were  saying, — besides,  no 
one  can  foretel  the  length  of  a  gale,  nor  the  real 
quarter  it  may  come  from." 

"  Precisely.  No  one  can  answer  for  the  weather. 
The  men  are  scarcely  in  their  hammocks  ;  turn  them 
up  at  once,  sir,  before  their  eyes  are  heavy,  and  we 
will  bring  the  ship's  head  the  other  way." 

The  mate  instantly  sounded  the  well-known  cry, 
which  summoned  the  watch  below  to  the  assistance 
of  their  shipmates  on  the  deck.  Little  delay  occurred, 
and  not  a  word  was  uttered,  but  the  short,  authori 
tative  mandates  which  Wilder  saw  fit  to  deliver  from 
his  own  lips.  No  longer  pressed  up  against  the 
wind,  the  ship,  obedient  to  her  helm,  gracefully  be 
gan  to  incline  her  head  from  the  waves,  and  to  bring 
the  wind  abeam.  Then,  instead  of  breasting  and 
mounting  the  endless  hillocks,  like  a  being  that  toiled 
heavily  along  its  path,  she  fell  into  the  trough  of  the 
sea,  from  which  she  issued  like  a  courser,  who,  hav- 
«ig  conquered  an  ascent,  shoots  along  the  track  with 
redoubled  velocity.  For  an  instant  the  wind  appear 


236  THE    RED    ROVER. 

ed  to  have  lulled,  though  the  wide  ridge  of  foam 
which  rolled  along  on  each  side  the  vessels  bowSj 
sufficiently  proclaimed  that  she  was  skimming  lightly 
before  it,  In  another  moment,  the  tall  spars  began 
to  incline  again  to  the  west,  and  the  vessel  came 
swooping  up  to  the  wind,  until  her  plunges  and  shocks 
against  the  seas  were  renewed  as  violently  as  before. 
When  every  yard  and  sheet  were  properly  trimmed 
to  meet  the  new  position  of  the  vessel,  Wilder  turn 
ed  anxiously  to  get  a  glimpse  of  the  stranger.  A 
minute  was  lost  in  ascertaining  the  precise  spot 
where  he  ought  to  appear ;  for,  in  such  a  chaos  of 
water,  and  with  no  guide  but  the  judgment,  the  eye 
was  apt  to  deceive  itself,  by  referring  to  the  nearer 
and  more  familiar  objects  by  which  the  spectator 
was  surrounded. 

"  The  stranger  has  vanished  !"  said  Earing,  with 
a  voice  in  whose  tones  mental  relief  and  distrust 
were  both,  at  the  same  moment,  oddly  manifesting 
themselves. 

"  He  should  be  on  this  quarter ;  but  I  confess  I 
see  him  not !" 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir ;  this  is  the  way  that  the  midnight 
cruiser  off  the  Hope  is  said  to  come  and  go.  There 
are  men  who  have  seen  that  vessel  shut  in  by  a  fog, 
in  as  fine  a  star-light  night  as  was  ever  met  in  a 
southern  latitude.  But  then  this  cannot  be  the 
Dutchman,  since  it  is  so  many  long  leagues  from  the 
pitch  of  the  Cape  to  the  coast  of  North-America. 

"  Here  he  lies  ;  and,  by  heaven  !  he  has  already 
gone  about!"  cried  Wilder. 

The  truth  of  what  our  young  adventurer  had  just 
affirmed  was  indeed  now  sufficiently  evident  to  the 
eye  of  any  seaman.  The  same  diminutive  and  misty 
tracery,  as  before,  was  to  be  seen  on  the  light  back 
ground  of  the  threatening  horizon,  looking  not  unlike 
the  faintest  shadows  cast  upon  some  brighter  surface 
by  the  deception  of  the  phantasmagoria.  But  to  the 


THE    RED   ROVER.  237 

manners,  who  so  well  knew  how  to  distinguish  be 
tween  the  different  lines  of  her  masts,  it  was  very 
evident  that  her  course  had  been  suddenly  and  dex 
terously  changed,  and  that  she  was  now  steering  no 
longer  to  the  south  and  west,  but,  like  themselves, 
holding  her  way  towards  the  north-east.  The  fact 
appeared  to  make  a  sensible  impression  on  them 
all ;  though  probably,  had  their  reasons  been  sifted, 
they  would  have  been  found  to  be  entirely  different. 

"  That  ship  has  truly  tacked  !"  Earing  exclaimed, 
after  a  long,  meditative  pause,  and  with  a  voice  in 
which  distrust,  or  rather  awe,  was  beginning  to  get 
the  ascendancy.  "  Long  as  I  have  followed  the  sea. 
have  I  never  before  seen  a  vessel  tack  against  such 
a  head-beating  sea.  He  must  have  been  all  shaking 
in  the  wind,  when  we  gave  him  the  last  look,  or  we 
should  not  have  lost  sight  of  him." 

u  A  lively  and  quick-working  vessel  might  do  it,11 
said  Wilder ;  "  especially  if  strong  handed." 

"  Ay,  the  hand  of  Beelzebub  is  always  strong ;  and 
a  light  job  would  he  make  of  it,  in  forcing  even  a 
dull  craft  to  sail." 

"  Mr  Earing,"  interrupted  Wilder,  "  we  will  pack 
upon  the  c  Caroline,'  and  try  our  sailing  with  this 
taunting  stranger.  Get  the  main  tack  aboard,  and 
set  the  top-gallant-sail." 

The  slow-minded  mate  would  have  remonstrated 
against  the  order,  had  he  dared ;  but  there  was  that, 
in  the  calm,  subdued,  but  deep  tones  of  his  young 
Commander,  which  admonished  him  of  the  hazard. 
He  was  not  wrong,  however,  in  considering  the  duty 
he  was  now  to  perform  as  one  not  without  some 
risk.  The  ship  was  already  moving  under  quite  as 
much  canvas  as  he  deemed  it  prudent  to  show  at 
such  an  hour,  and  with  so  many  threatening  symp 
toms  of  heavier  weather  hanging  about  the  horizon. 
The  necessary  orders  were,  however,  repeated  as 
promptly  as  they  had  been  given.  The  seamen  had 


238  THE    RED    ROVER. 

already  begun  to  consider  the  stranger,  and  to  con 
verse  among  themselves  concerning  his  appearance 
and  situation ;  and  they  obeyed  with  an  alacrity  that 
might  perhaps  have  been  traced  to  a  secret  but  com 
mon  wish  to  escape  from  his  vicinity.  The  sails 
were  successively  and  speedily  set ;  and  then  each 
man  folded  his  arms,  and  stood  gazing  steadily  and 
intently  at  the  shadowy  object  to  leeward,  in  order 
to  witness  the  effect  of  the  change. 

The  "  Royal  Caroline"  seemed,  like  her  crew, 
sensible  of  the  necessity  of  increasing  her  speed. 
As  she  felt  the  pressure  of  the  broad  sheets  of  can 
vas  that  had  just  been  distended,  the  ship  bowed 
lower,  and  appeared  to  recline  on  the  bed  of  water 
which  rose  under  her  lee  nearly  to  the  scuppers.  On 
the  other  side,  the  dark  planks,  and  polished  copper, 
lay  bare  for  many  feet,  though  often  washed  by  the 
waves  that  came  sweeping  along  her  length,  green 
and  angrily,  still  capped,  as  usual,  with  crests  of  lu 
cid  foam.  The  shocks,  as  the  vessel  tilted  against 
the  billows,  were  becoming  every  moment  more  se 
vere  ;  and,  from  each  encounter,  a  bright  cloud  of 
spray  arose,  which  either  fell  glittering  on  the  deck, 
or  drove,  in  brilliant  mist,  across  the  rolling  water, 
far  to  leeward.  • 

Wilder  long  watched  the  ship,  with  an  excited 
mien,  but  with  all  the  intelligence  of  a  seaman. 
Once  or  twice,  when  she  trembled,  and  appeared  to 
stop,  in  her  violent  encounter  with  a  wave,  as 
suddenly  as  though  she  had  struck  a  rock,  his  lips 
severed,  and  he  was  about  to  give  the  order  to 
reduce  the  sail ;  but  a  glance  at  the  misty  looking 
image  on  the  western  horizon  seemed  ever  to  cause 
his  mind  to  change  its  purpose.  Like  a  desperate 
adventurer,  who  had  cast  his  fortunes  on  some  haz 
ardous  experiment,  he  appeared  to  await  the  issue 
with  a  resolution  that  was  as  haughty  as  it  was  un 
conquerable 


T»fi   REFT   ROVER  239 

u  That  top-mast  is  bending  like  a  whip,"  muttered 
the  careful  Earing,  at  his  elbow. 

"  Let  it  go ;  we  have  spare  spars  to  put  in  its 
place,"  was  the  answer. 

"  I  have  always  found  the  *  Caroline'  leaky  after 
she  has  been  strained  by  driving  her  against  the  sea. 

"  We  have  our  pumps." 

"  True,  sir ;  but,  in  my  poor  judgment,  it  is  idle 
to  think  of  outsailing  a  craft  that  the  devil  com 
mands,  if  he  does  not  altogether  handle  it." 

"  One  will  never  know  that,  Mr  Earing,  till  he 
tries." 

"  We  gave  the  Dutchman  a  chance  of  that  sort ; 
and,  I  must  say,  we  not  only  had  the  most  canvas 
spread,  but  much  the  best  of  the  wind :  And  what 
good  did  it  all  do  ?  there  he  lay,  under  his  three  top- 
sails,  driver,  and  jib ;  and  we,  with  studding  sails 
alow  and  aloft,  couldn't  alter  his  bearing  a  foot." 

"  The  Dutchman  is  never  seen  in  a  northern  lati 
tude." 

"  Well,  I  cannot  say  he  is,"  returned  Earing,  in  a 
sort  of  compelled  resignation  ;  "  but  he  who  has  put 
that  flyer  off  the  Cape  may  have  found  the  cruise  so 
profitable,  as  to  wish  to  send  another  ship  into  these 
seas." 

Wilder  made  no  reply.  He  had  either  humoured 
the  superstitious  apprehension  of  his  mate  enough, 
or  his  mind  was  too  intent  on  its  principal  object,  to 
dwell  longer  on  a  foreign  subject. 

Notwithstanding  the  seas  that  met  her  advance, 
in  such  quick  succession  as  greatly  to  retard  her  pro 
gress,  the  Bristol  trader  had  soon  toiled  her  way 
through  a  league  of  the  troubled  element.  At  every 
plunge  she  took,  the  bow  divided  a  mass  of  water, 
that  appeared,  at  each  instant,  to  become  more  vast 
and  more  violent  in  its  rushing ;  and  more  than  once 
foe  struggling  hull  was  nearly  buried  forward,  in 


240  THE   RED   ROVER. 

some  wave  which  it  had  equal  difficulty  in  mounting 
or  penetrating. 

The  mariners  narrowly  watched  the  smallest  move 
ments  of  their  vessel.  Not  a  man  left  her  deck,  for 
hours.  The  superstitious  awe,  which  had  taken  such 
deep  hold  of  the  untutored  faculties  of  the  chief  mate, 
had  not  been  slow  to  extend  its  influence  to  the 
meanest  of  her  crew.  Even  the  accident  which  had 
befallen  their  former  Commander,  and  the  sudden 
and  mysterious  manner  in  which  the  young  officer, 
who  now  trod  the  quarter-deck,  so  singularly  firm 
and  calm,  under  circumstances  deemed  so  imposing, 
had  their  influence  in  heightening  the  wild  impres 
sion.  The  impunity  with  which  the  "Caroline" 
bore  such  a  press  of  canvas,  under  the  circumstances 
in  which  she  was  placed,  added  to  their  kindling  ad 
miration;  and,  ere  Wilder  had  determined,  in  his 
own  mind,  on  the  powers  of  his  ship,  in  comparison 
with  those  of  the  vessel  that  so  strangely  hung  in 
the  horizon,  he  was  himself  becoming  the  subject 
of  unnatural  and  revolting  suspicions  to  his  own 
crew. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

"  P  the  name  of  truth, 

Are  ye  fantastical,  or  that  indeed 
Which  outwardly  ye  show  ?"— Macbeth. 

THE   division  of  employment  that  is   found   in 
Europe,  and  which  brings,  in  its  train,  a  peculiar  and 
corresponding  limitation  of  ideas,  has  never  yet  ex 
isted  in  our  country.     If  our  artisans  have,  in  con 
sequence,  been  less  perfect  in  their  several  handi 
crafts,  they  have  ever  been  remarkable  for  intelli 
gence  of  a  more  general  character.     Superstition  i? 


THE    RED    ROVER.  241 

however,  a  quality  that  seems  indigenous  to  the  ocean. 
Few  common  mariners  are  exempt  from  its  influence, 
in  a  greater  or  less  degree ;  though  it  is  found  to  ex 
ist,  among  the  seamen  of  different  people,  in  forms 
that  are  tempered  by  their  respective  national  habits 
and  peculiar  opinions.  The  sailor  of  the  Baltic  has 
his  secret  rites,  and  his  manner  of  propitiating  the 
gods  of  the  wind ;  the  Mediterranean  mariner  tears 
his  hair,  and  kneels  before  the  shrine  of  some  impo 
tent  saint,  when  his  own  hand  might  better  do  the 
service  he  implores ;  while  the  more  skilful  English 
man  sees  the  spirits  of  the  dead  in  the  storm,  and 
hears  the  cries  of  a  lost  messmate  in  the  gusts  that 
sweep  the  waste  he  navigates.  Even  the  better  in 
structed  and  still  more  reasoning  American  has  not 
been  able  to  shake  entirely  off  the  secret  influence 
of  a  sentiment  that  seems  the  concomitant  of  his 
condition. 

There  is  a  majesty,  in  the  might  of  the  great  deep, 
that  has  a  tendency  to  keep  open  the  avenues  of  that 
dependant  credulity  which  more  or  less  besets  the 
mind  of  every  man,  however  he  may  have  fortified 
his  intellect  by  thought.  With  the  firmament  above 
him,  and  wandering  on  an  interminable  waste  of  wa 
ter,  the  less  gifted  seaman  is  tempted,  at  every  step 
of  his  pilgrimage,  to  seek  the  relief  of  some  propi 
tious  omen.  The  few  which  are  supported  by  scien 
tific  causes  give  support  to  the  many  that  have  their 
origin  only  in  his  own  excited  and  doubting  temper 
ament.  The  gambols  of  the  dolphin,  the  earnest  and 
busy  passage  of  the  porpoise,  the  ponderous  sporting 
of  the  unwieldy  whale,  and  the  screams  of  the  ma 
rine  birds,  have  all,  like  the  signs  of  the  ancient 
soothsayers,  their  attendant  consequences  of  good 
or  evil.  The  confusion  between  things  which  are 
explicable,  and  things  which  are  not,  gradually  brings 
the  mind  of  the  mariner  to  a  state  in  which  any  ex 
citing  and  unnatural  sentiment  is  welcome,  if  it  be 


242  THE    RED    ROVER. 

for  no  other  reason  than  that,  like  the  vast  element 
on  which  he  passes  his  life,  it  bears  the  impression 
of  what  is  thought  a  supernatural,  because  it  is  an 
incomprehensible,  power. 

The  crew  of  the  "  Royal  Caroline"  had  not  even 
the  advantage  of  being  natives  of  a  land  where  ne 
cessity  and  habit  have  united  to  bring  every  man's 
faculties  into  exercise,  to  a  certain  extent  at  least. 
They  were  all  from  that  distant  island  that  has  been, 
and  still  continues  to  be,  the  hive  of  nations,  which 
are  probably  fated  to  carry  her  name  to  a  time  when 
the  sight  of  her  fallen  power  shall  be  sought  as  a 
curiosity,  like  the  remains  of  a  city  in  a  desert. 

The  whole  events  of  that  day  of  which  we  are 
now  writing  had  a  tendency  to  arouse  the  latent  su 
perstition  of  these  men.  It  has  already  been  said, 
that  the  calamity  which  had  befallen  their  former 
Commander,  and  the  manner  in  which  a  stranger 
had  succeeded  to  his  authority,  had  their  influence  in 
increasing  their  disposition  to  doubt.  The  sail  to 
leeward  appeared  most  inopportunely  for  the  char 
acter  of  our  adventurer,  who  had  not  yet  enjoyed  a 
fitting  opportunity  to  secure  the  confidence  of  his 
inferiors,  before  such  untoward  circumstances  occur 
red  as  threatened  to  deprive  him  of  it  for  ever. 

There  has  existed  but  one  occasion  for  introducing 
to  the  reader  the  mate  who  filled  the  station  in  the 
ship  next  to  that  of  Earing.  He  was  called  Night- 
head  ;  a  name  that  was,  in  some  measure,  indicative 
of  a  certain  misty  obscurity  that  beset  his  superior 
member.  The  qualities  of  his  mind  may  be  appre 
ciated  by  the  few  reflections  he  saw  fit  to  make  on 
the  escape  of  the  old  mariner  whom  Wilder  had  in 
tended  to  visit  with  a  portion  of  his  indignation.  This 
individual,  as  he  was  but  one  degree  removed  from 
the  common  men  in  situation,  so  was  he  every  way 
qualified  to  maintain  that  association  with  the  crew 
which  was,  in  some  measure,  necessary  between 


THE    RED   ROVER.  243 

them.  His  influence  among  them  was  commensurate 
to  his  opportunities  of  intercourse,  and  his  sentiments 
were  very  generally  received  with  a  portion  of  that 
deference  which  is  thought  to  be  due  to  the  opinions 
of  an  oracle. 

After  the  ship  had  been  worn,  and  during  the  time 
that  Wilder,  with  a  view  to  lose  sight  of  his  unwel 
come  neighbour,  was  endeavouring  to  urge  her 
through  the  seas  in  the  manner  already  described, 
this  stubborn  and  mystified  tar  remained  in  the  waist 
of  the  vessel,  surrounded  by  a  few  of  the  older  and 
more  experienced  seamen,  holding  converse  on  the 
remarkable  appearance  of  the  phantom  to  leeward, 
and  of  the  extraordinary  manner  in  which  their  un 
known  officer  saw  fit  to  attest  the  enduring  qualities 
of  their  own  vessel.  We  shall  commence  our  rela 
tion  of  the  dialogue  at  a  point  where  Nighthead  saw 
fit  to  discontinue  his  distant  inuendos,  in  order  to 
deal  more  directly  with  the  subject  he  had  under 
discussion. 

"  I  have  heard  it  said,  by  older  sea-faring  men 
than  any  in  this  ship,"  he  continued,  "  that  the  devil 
has  been  known  to  send  one  of  his  mates  aboard  a 
lawful  trader,  to  lead  her  astray  among  shoals  and 
quicksands,  in  order  that  he  might  make  a  wreck, 
and  get  his  share  of  the  salvage,  among  the  souls  of 
the  people.  What  man  can  say  who  gets  into  the 
cabin,  when  an  unknown  name  stands  first  in  the 
shipping  list  of  a  vessel  ?" 

"  The  stranger  is  shut  in  by  a  cloud  !"  exclaimed 
one  of  the  mariners,  who,  while  he  listened  to  the 
philosophy  of  his  officer,  still  kept  an  eye  riveted  on 
the  mysterious  object  to  leeward. 

"  Ay,  ay ;  it  would  occasion  no  surprise  to  see  thac 
craft  steering  into  the  moon !  Luck  is  like  a  fly- 
block  and  its  yard :  when  one  goes  up,  the  other 
comes  down.  They  say  the  red-coats  ashore  have 
had  their  turn  of  fortune,  and  it  is  time  we  honest 


244  THE    RED    ROVER. 

seamen  look  out  for  our  squalls.  I  have  doubled 
the  Horn,  brothers,  in  a  King's  ship,  and  I  have  seen 
the  bright  cloud  that  never  sets,  and  have  held  a 
living  corposant  in  my  own  hand :  But  these  are 
things  which  any  man  may  look  on,  who  will  go  upon 
a  yard  in  a  gale,  or  ship  aboard  a  Southseaman  :  Still, 
I  pronounce  it  uncommon  for  a  vessel  to  see  her 
shadow  in  the  haze,  as  we  have  ours  at  this  moment 
for  there  it  comes  again  ! — hereaway,  between  the 
after-shroud  and  the  backstay — or  for  a  trader  to 
carry  sail  in  a  fashion  that  would  make  every  knee 
in  a  bomb-ketch  work  like  a  tooth-brush  fiddling 
across  a  passenger's  mouth,  after  he  had  had  a  smart 
bout  with  the  sea  sickness." 

"  And  yet  the  lad  holds  the  ship  in  hand,"  said  the 
oldest  of  all  the  seamen,  who  kept  his  gaze  fastened 
on  the  proceedings  of  Wilder ;  "  he  is  driving  her 
through  it  in  a  mad  manner,  I  will  allow ;  but  yet, 
so  far,  he  has  not  parted  a  yarn." 

"  Yarns !"  repeated  the  mate,  in  a  tone  of  strong 
contempt ;  "  what  signify  yarns,  when  the  whole  ca 
ble  is  to  snap,  and  in  such  a  fashion  as  to  leave  no 
hope  for  the  anchor,  except  in  a  buoy  rope  ?  Hark 
ye,  old  Bill;  the  devil  never  finishes  his  jobs  by 
halves  :  What  is  to  happen  will  happen  bodily;  and 
no  easing-off,  as  if  you  were  lowering  the  Captain's 
lady  into  a  boat,  and  he  on  deck  to  see  fair  play." 

"  Mr  Nighthead  knows  how  to  keep  a  ship's  reck 
oning  in  all  weathers  !"  said  another,  whose  manner 
sufficiently  announced  the  dependance  he  himself 
placed  on  the  capacity  of  the  second  mate. 

"  And  no  credit  to  me  for  the  same.  I  have  seen 
all  services,  and  handled  every  rig,  from  a  lugger  to 
a  double-decker !  Few  men  can  say  more  in  their 
own  favour  than  myself;  for  the  little  I  know  has 
been  got  by  much  hardship,  and  small  schooling. 
But  what  matters  information,  or  even  seamanship, 
against  witchcraft,  or  the  workings  of  one  whom  I 


THE    RED    ROVER.  245 

don't  choose  to  name,  seeing  that  there  is  no  use  in 
offending  any  gentleman  unnecessarily  ?  I  say,  broth 
ers,  that  this  ship  is  packed  upon  in  a  fashion  that 
no  prudent  seaman  ought  to,  or  would,  allow." 

A  general  murmur  announced  that  most,  if  not  all, 
of  his  hearers  accorded  in  his  opinion. 

"  Let  us  examine  calmly  and  reasonably,  and  in  a 
manner  becoming  enlightened  Englishmen,  into  the 
whole  state  of  the  case,"  the  mate  continued,  cast 
ing  an  eye  obliquely  over  his  shoulder,  perhaps  to 
make  sure  that  the  individual,  of  whose  displeasure 
he  stood  in  such  salutary  awe,  was  not  actually  at 
his  elbow.  "  We  are  all  of  us,  to  a  man,  native-born 
islanders,  without  a  drop  of  foreign  blood  among  us ; 
not  so  much  as  a  Scotchman  or  an  Irishman  in  the 
ship.  Let  us  therefore  look  into  the  philosophy  of 
this  affair,  with  that  sort  of  judgment  which  becomes 
our  breeding.  In  the  first  place,  here  is  honest 
Nicholas  Nichols  slips  from  this  here  water-cask, 
and  breaks  me  a  leg !  Now,  brothers,  I've  known 
men  to  fall  from  tops  and*  yards,  and  lighter  damage 
done.  But  what  matters  it,  to  a  certain  person,  how 
far  he  throws  his  man,  since  he  has  only  to  lift  a  fin 
ger  to  get  us  all  hanged  ?  Then,  comes  me  aboard 
here  a  stranger,  with  a  look  of  the  colonies  about 
him,  and  none  of  your  plain-dealing,  out-and-out, 
smooth  English  faces,  such  as  a  man  can  cover  with 
the  flat  of  his  hand." 

"  The  lad  is  well  enough  to  the  eye,"  interrupted 
the  old  mariner. 

"  Ay,  therein  lies  the  whole  deviltry  of  this  mat 
ter  !  He  is  good-looking,  I  grant  ye ;  but  it  is  not 
such  good-looking  as  an  Englishman  loves.  There 
is  a  meaning  about  him  that  I  don't  like ;  for  I  never 
likes  too  much  meaning  in  a  man's  countenance, 
seeing  that  it  is  not  always  easy  to  understand  what 
he  would  be  doing.  Then,  this  stranger  gets  to  be 
Master  of  the  ship,  or,  what  is  the  same  thing,  next 


246  THE    RED    ROVER. 

to  Master ;  while  he  who  should  be  on  deck  giving 
his  orders,  in  a  time  like  this,  is  lying  in  his  birth  un 
able  to  tack  himself,  much  less  to  put  the  vessel 
about ;  and  yet  no  man  can  say  how  the  thing  came 
to  pass." 

"  He  drove  a  bargain  with  the  consignee  for  the 
station,  and  right  glad  did  the  cunning  merchant 
seem  to  get  so  tight  a  youth  to  take  charge  of  the 
•  Caroline.' " 

"  Ah  !  a  merchant  is,  like  the  rest  of  us,  made  of 
nothing  better  than  clay ;  and,  what  is  worse,  it  is 
seldom  that,  in  putting  him  together,  he  is  dampened 
with  salt  water.  Many  is  the  trader  that  has  douzed 
his  spectacles,  and  shut  his  account-books,  to  step 
aside  to  over-reach  his  neighbour,  and  then  come 
back  to  find  that  he  has  over-reached  himself.  Mr 
Bale,  no  doubt,  thought  he  was  doing  the  clever 
thing  for  the  owners,  when  he  shipped  this  Mr  Wil 
der  ;  but  then,  perhaps,  he  did  not  know  that  the 
vessel  was  sold  to It  becomes  a  plain-go 
ing  seaman  to  have  a  respect  for  all  he  sails  under; 
so  I  will  not,  unnecessarily,  name  the  person  who,  I 
believe,  has  got,  whether  he  came  by  it  in  a  fair 
purchase  or  not,  no  small  right  in  this  vessel." 

"  I  have  never  seen  a  ship  got  out  of  irons  more 
handsomely  than  he  handled  the  'Caroline'  this 
very  morning." 

Nighthead  now  indulged  in  a  low,  but  what  to  his 
listeners  appeared  to  be  an  exceedingly  meaning, 
laugh. 

"  When  a  ship  has  a  certain  sort  of  Captain,  one 
is  not  to  be  surprised  at  any  thing,"  he  answered 
the  instant  his  significant  merriment  had  ceased. 
"  For  my  own  part,  I  shipped  to  go  from  Bristol  to 
the  Carolinas  and  Jamaica,  touching  at  Newport 
out  and  home  ;  and  I  will  say,  boldly,  I  have  no  wish 
to  go  any  where  else.  As  to  backing  the  '  Caroline 
from  her  awkward  birth  alongside  the  slaver,  why 


THE   RED    ROVER,  24? 

it  was  well  done ;  most  too  well  for  so  young  a 
mariner.  Had  I  done  the  thing  myself,  it  could  not 
have  been  much  better.  But  what  think  you,  broth 
ers,  of  the  old  man  in  the  skiff?  There  was  a 
chase,  and  an  escape,  such  as  few  old  sea-dogs  have 
the  fortune  to  behold !  I  have  heard  of  a  smuggler 
that  was  chased  a  hundred  times  by  his  Majesty's 
cutters,  in  the  chops  of  the  Channel,  and  which  al 
ways  had  a  fog  handy  to  run  into,  but  out  of  which 
no  man  could  truly  say  he  ever  saw  her  come  again  ! 
This  skiff  may  have  plied  between  the  land  and  that 
Guernseyman,  for  any  thing  I  know  to  the  contrary ; 
but  it  is  not  a  boat  I  wish  to  pull  a  scull  in." 

"  That  was  a  remarkable  flight !"  exclaimed  the 
elder  seaman,  whose  faith  in  the  character  of  our  ad 
venturer  began  to  give  way  gradually,  before  such 
an  accumulation  -of  testimony. 

"  I  call  it  so ;  though  other  men  may  possibly 
know  better  than  I,  who  have  only  followed  the  wa 
ter  five-and-thirty  years.  Then,  here  is  the  sea  get 
ting  up  in  an  unaccountable  manner !  and  look  at 
these  rags  of  clouds,  which  darken  the  heavens  !  and 
yet  there  is  light  enough,  coming  from  the  ocean,  for 
a  good  scholar  to  read  by !" 

"  I've  often  seen  the  weather  as  it  is  now." 

"  Ay,  who  has  not?  It  is  seldom  that  any  man, 
let  him  come  from  what  part  he  will,  makes  his  first 
voyage  as  Captain.  Let  who  will  be  out  to-night 
upon  the  water,  I'll  engage  he  has  been  there  before. 
I  have  seen  worse  looking  skies,  and  even  worse 
looking  water,  than  this.;  but  1  never  knew  any  good 
come  of  either.  The  night  1  was  wreck'd  in  the 
bay  of" 

"  In  the  waist  there  !"  cried  the  calm,  authorita 
live  tones  of  Wilder. 

Had  a  warning  voice  .arisen  from  the  turbulent 
and  rushing  ocean  itself,  it  would  not  have  sounded 
©u>re  alarming,  in  the  startled  ears  of  the  conscious 


248  THE    RED    KUV^ll. 

seamen,  than  this  sudden  hail,  Their  yewng  Com 
mander  found  it  necessary  to  repeat  it,  before  even 
Nighthead,  the  proper  and  official  spokesman,  could 
muster  resolution  to  answer, 

"Get  the  fore-top-gallant-saii  on  the  ship,  sir," 
continued  Wilder,  when  the  customary  reply  let 
him  know  that  he  had  been  heard. 

The  mate  and  his  companions  regarded  each  other, 
for  a  moment,  in  dull  admiration  ;  and  many  a  me! 
ancholy  shake  of  the  head  was  exchanged,  before 
one  of  the  party  threw  himself  into  the  weather-rig 
ging,  and  proceeded  aloft,  with  a  doubting  mind,  in 
order  to  loosen  the  sail  in  question. 

There  was  certainly  enough,  in  the  desperate  man 
ner  with  which  Wilder  pressed  the  canvas  on  the 
vessel,  to  excite  distrust,  either  of  his  intentions  or 
judgment,  in  the  opinions  of  men  less  influenced  by 
superstition  than  those  it  was  now  his  lot  to  com 
mand.  It  had  long  been  apparent  to  Earing,  and 
his  more  ignorant,  and  consequently  more  obstinate, 
brother  officer,  that  their  young  superior  had  the 
same  desire  to  escape  from  th«  spectral-looking  ship, 
which  so  strangely  followed  their  movements,  as 
they  had  themselves.  They  only  differed  in  the 
mode  ;  but  this  difference  was  so  very  material,  that 
the  two  mates  consulted  together  apart,  and  then 
Earing,  something  stimulated  by  the  hardy  opinions 
of  his  coadjutor,  approached  his  Commander,  with 
the  determination  of  delivering  the  results  of  their 
united  judgments,  with  that  sort  of  directness  which 
he  thought  the  occasion  now  demanded.  But  there 
was  that  in  the  steady  eye  and  imposing  mien  of 
Wilder,  that  caused  him  to  touch  on  the  dangerous 
subject  with  a  discretion  and  circumlocution  that 
were  a  little  remarkable  for  the  individual.  He 
stood  watching  the  effect  of  the  sail  recently  spread, 
for  several  minutes,  before  he  even  presumed  to 
open  his  mouth.  But  a  terrible  encounter,  betwees 


THE   RED   ROVER.  249 

the  vessel  and  a  wave  that  lifted  its  angry  crest  ap 
parently  some  dozen  feet  ahove  the  approaching 
bows,  gave  him  courage  to  proceed,  by  admonishing 
him  afresh  of  the  danger  of  continuing  silent. 

"  I  do  not  see  that  we  drop  the  stranger,  though 
the  ship  is  wallowing  through  the  water  so  heavily," 
he  commenced,  determined  to  be  as  circumspect  as 
possible  in  his  advances. 

Wilder  bent  another  of  his  frequent  glances  on 
the  misty  object  in  the  horizon,  and  then  turned  his 
frowning  eye  towards  the  point  whence  the  wind 
proceeded,  as  if  he  would  defy  its  heaviest  blasts ; 
he,  however,  made  no  answer. 

"  We  have  ever  found  the  crew  discontented  at 
the  pumps,  sir,"  resumed  the  other,  after  a  pause 
sufficient  for  the  reply  he  in  vain  expected  ;  "  I  need 
not  tell  an  officer,  who  knows  his  duty  so  well,  that 
seamen  rarely  love  their  pumps." 

"  Whatever  I  may  find  necessary  to  order,  Mr 
Earing,  this  ship's  company  will  find  it  necessary  to 
execute." 

There  was  a  deep  settled  air  of  authority,  in  the 
manner  with  which  this  tardy  answer  was  given,  that 
did  not  fail  of  its  impression.  Earing  recoiled  a  step, 
with  a  submissive  manner,  and  affected  to  be  lost  in 
consulting  the  driving  masses  of  the  clouds  ;  then, 
summoning  his  resolution,  he  attempted  to  renew  the 
attack  in  a  different  quarter. 

"  Is  it  your  deliberate  opinion,  Captain  Wilder,' 
he  said,  using  the  title  to  which  the  claim  of  our  ad 
venturer  might  well  be  questioned,  with  a  view  to 
propitiate  him  ;  "  is  it  then  your  deliberate  opinion^ 
that  the  4  Royal  Caroline'  can,  by  any  human  means, 
be  made  to  drop  yonder  vessel  ?" 

"  I  fear  not,"  returned  the  young  man,  drawing  a 
breath  so  long,  that  all  his  secret  concern  seemed 
struggling  in  his  breast  for  utterance. 


250  THE  RED  ROVER. 

"And,  sir,  with  proper  submission  to  your  better 
education  and  authority  in  this  ship,  I  know  not.  1 
have  often  seen  these  matches  tried  in  my  time;  and 
well  do  I  know  that  nothing  is  gained  by  straining  a 
vessel,  with  the  hope  of  getting  to  windward  of  one 
of  these  flyers  !" 

"  Take  you  the  glass,  Earing,  and  tell  me  under 
what  canvas  the  stranger  holds  his  way,  and  what 
may  be  his  distance,"  said  Wilder,  thoughtfully,  and 
without  appearing  to  advert  at  all  to  what  the  other 
had  just  observed. 

The  honest  and  well-meaning  mate  deposed  his 
hat  on  the  quarter-deck,  and,  with  an  air  of  great 
respect,  did  as  he  was  desired.  Nor  did  he  deem  it 
necessary  to  give  a  precipitate  answer  to  either  of 
the  interrogatories.  When,  however,  his  look  had 
been  long,  grave,  and  deeply  absorbed,  he  closed  the 
glass  with  the  palm  of  his  broad  hand,  and  replied, 
with  the  manner  of  one  whose  opinion  was  suffi 
ciently  matured. 

"  If  yonder  sail  had  been  built  and  fitted  like  other 
mortal  craft,"  he  said,  "  I  should  not  be  backward 
in  pronouncing  her  a  full-rigged  ship,  under  three 
single-reefed  topsails,  courses,  spanker,  and  jib." 

"  Has  she  no  more  ?" 

"  To  that  I  would  qualify,  provided  an  opportuni 
ty  were  given  me  to  make  sure  that  she  is,  in  all  re 
spects,  as  other  vessels  are." 

"  And  yet,  Earing,  with  all  this  press  of  canvas, 
by  the  compass  we  have  not  left  her  a  foot." 

"  Lord,  sir,"  returned  the  mate,  shaking  his  head, 
like  one  who  was  well  convinced  of  the  folly  of 
such  efforts,  "  if  you  should  split  every  cloth  in  the 
main-course,  by  carrying  on  the  ship  you  will  never 
alter  the  bearings  of  that  craft  an  inch,  till  the  sun 
rises !  Then,  indeed,  such  as  have  eyes,  that  are 
good  enough,  might  perhaps  see  her  sailing  about 


THE    RicD    ROVER,  251 

among  the  clouds ;  though  it  has  never  been  my  for 
tune,  be  it  bad  or  be  it  good,  to  fall  in  with  one  of 
these  cruisers  after  the  day  has  fairly  dawned." 

"  And  the  distance  ?"  said  Wilder  ;  "  you  have  not 
Vet  spoken  of  her  distance," 

"  That  is  much  as  people  choose  to  measure.  She 
may  be  here,  nigh  enough  to  toss  a  biscuit  into  our 
tops  ;  or  she  may  be  there,  where  she  seems  to  be, 
hull  down  in  the  horizon." 

"  But,  if  where  she  seems  to  be  ?" 

"  Why,  she  seems  to  be  a  vessel  of  about  six  hun 
dred  tons ;  and,  judging  from  appearances  only,  a 
man  might  be  tempted  to  say  she  was  a  couple  of 
leagues,  more  or  less,  under  our  lee." 

"  I  put  her  at  the  same  J  Six  miles  to  windward 
is  not  a  little  advantage,  in  a  hard  chase.  By  hea 
vens,  Earing,  I'll  drive  the  '  Caroline'  out  of  water, 
but  Pll  leave  him  !" 

"  That  might  be  done,  if  the  ship  had  wings  like 
a  curlew,  or  a  sea-gull ;  but,  as  it  is,  I  think  we  are 
more  likely  to  drive  her  under." 

"  She  bears  her  canvas  well,  so  far.  You  know 
not  what  the  boat  can  do,  when  urged." 

"  I  have  seen  her  sailed  in  all  weathers,  Captain 
Wilder,  but" 

His  mouth  was  suddenly  closed.  A  vast  black 
wave  reared  itself  between  the  ship  and  the  eastern 
horizon,  and  came  rolling  onward,  seeming  to  threat 
en  to  ingulf  all  before  it.  Even  Wilder  watched  the 
shock  with  breathless  anxiety,  conscious,  for  the  mo 
ment,  that  he  had  exceeded  the  bounds  of  sound 
discretion  in  urging  his  ship  so  powerfully  against 
such  a  mass  of  water.  The  sea  broke  a  few  fathoms 
from  the  bows  of  the  "  Caroline,"  and  sent  its  surge 
in  a  flood  of  foam  upon  her  decks.  For  half  a  min 
ute,  the  forward  part  of  the  vessel  disappeared,  as 
though,  unable  to  mount  the  swell,  it  were  striving 


252  THE    RED    ROVER. 

to  go  through  it,  and  then  she  heavily  emerged,  gem 
med  with  a  million  of  the  scintillating  insects  of  the 
ocean.  The  ship  had  stopped,  trembling  in  every 
joint,  throughout  her  massive  and  powerful  frame, 
like  some  affrighted  courser ;  and,  when  she  resumed 
her  course,  it  was  with  a  moderation  that  appeared 
to  warn  those  who  governed  her  movements  of  their 
indiscretion. 

Earing  faced  his  Commander  in  silence,  perfectly 
conscious  that  nothing  he  could  utter  contained  an  ar 
gument  like  this.  The  seamen  no  longer  hesitated  to 
mutter  their  disapprobation  aloud,  and  many  a  pro 
phetic  opinion  was  ventured  concerning  the  conse 
quences  of  such  reckless  risks.  To  all  this  Wilder 
turned  a  deaf  or  an  insensible  ear.  Firm  in  his  own 
secret  purpose,  he  would  have  braved  a  greater  haz 
ard,  to  accomplish  his  object.  But  a  distinct  though 
smothered  shriek,  from  the  stern  of  the  vessel T  re 
minded  him  of  the  fears  of  others.  Turning  quickly 
on  his  heel,  he  approached  the  still  trembling  Ger 
trude  and  her  governess,  who  had  both  been,  through 
out  the  whole  of  those  long  and  tedious  hours,  inob- 
trusive,  but  deeply  interested,  observers  of  his  small 
est  movements. 

"  The  vessel  bore  that  shock  so  well,  I  have  great 
reliance  on  her  powers,"  he  said  in  a  soothing  voice, 
but  with  words  that  were  intended  to  lull  her  into  a 
blind  security.  "  With  a  firm  ship,  a  thorough  seaman 
is  never  at  a  loss  !** 

"  Mr  Wilder,"  returned  the  governess,  ;*  I  have 
seen  much  of  this  terrible  element  on  which  you 
live.  It  is  therefore  vain  to  think  of  deceiving  me 
I  know  that  you  are  urging  the  ship  beyond  what 
is  usual.  Have  you  sufficient  motive  for  this  hardi 
hood?" 

"  Madam, — I  have  f* 

"  And  is  it,  like  so  many  of  your  motives,  to  COD 


THE    RED    ROVER.  253 

Linue  locked  for  ever  in  your  own  breast  ?  or  maj 
we,  who  are  equal  participators  in  its  consequence*1. , 
claim  to  share  equally  in  the  reason  ?" 

"  Since  you  know  so  much  of  the  profession,"  re 
turned  the  young  man,  slightly  laughing,  but  in  tones 
that  were  rendered  perhaps  more  alarming  by  the 
sounds  produced  in  the  unnatural  effort,  "  you  need 
not  be  told,  that,  in  order  to  get  a  ship  to  windward, 
it  is  necessary  to  spread  her  canvas." 
.    "You  can,  at  least,  answer  one  of  my  questions 
more  directly :  Is  this  wind  sufficiently  favourable  to 
pass  the  dangerous  shoals  of  the  Hatteras  ?" 

"  I  doubt  it." 

"Then,  why  not  go  to  the  place  whence  we 
came  ?" 

"Will  you  consent  to  return?"  demanded  the 
youth,  with  the  swiftness  of  thought. 

"  I  would  go  to  my  father,"  said  Gertrude,  with  a 
rapidity  so  nearly  resembling  his  own,  that  the  ar 
dent  girl  appeared  to  want  breath  to  utter  the  little 
she  said. 

"  And  I  am  willing,  Mr  Wilder,  to  abandon  the 
ship  entirely,"  calmly  resumed  the  governess.  "  I 
require  no  explanation  of  all  your  mysterious  warn 
ings  ;  restore  us  to  our  friends  in  Newport,  and  no 
further  questions  shall  ever  be  asked." 

"  It  might  be  done !"  muttered  our  adventurer ; 
"  it  might  be  done  ! — A  few  busy  hours  would  do  it, 
with  this  wind. — Mr  Earing !" — 

The  mate  was  instantly  at  his  elbow.  Wilder 
pointed  to  the  dim  object  to  leeward ;  and,  handing 
him  the  glass,  desired  that  he  would  take  another 
view.  Each  looked,  in  his  turn,  long  and  closely. 

"  He  shows  no  more  sail !"  said  the  Commander 
impatiently,  when  his  own  prolonged  gaze  was 
ended. 

"  Not  a  cloth,  sir.     But  what  matters  it,  to  such  a 
Y 


254  THE    RED    ROVER. 

craft,  how  much  canvas  is  spread,  or  how  the  wind 
blows  ?" 

"  Earing,  I  think  there  is  too  much  southing  in 
this  breeze ;  and  there  is  more  brewing  in  yonder 
streak  of  dusky  clouds  on  our  beam.  Let  the  ship 
fall  off  a  couple  of  points,  or  more,  and  take  the 
strain  off  the  spars,  by  a  pull  upon  the  weather 
braces." 

The  simple-minded  mate  heard  the  order  with  an 
astonishment  he  did  not  care  to  conceal.  There 
needed  no  explanation,  to  teach  his  experienced  fa 
culties,  that  the  effect  would  be  to  go  over  the  same 
track  they  had  just  passed,  and  that  it  was,  in  sub 
stance,  abandoning  the  objects  of  the  voyage.  He 
presumed  to  defer  his  compliance,  in  order  to  re 
monstrate. 

"  I  hope  there  is  no  offence  for  an  elderly  seaman, 
like  myself,  Captain  Wilder,  in  venturing  an  opinion 
on  the  weather,"  he  said.  "  When  the  pocket  of 
the  owner  is  interested,  my  judgment  approves  of 
going  about,  for  I  have  no  taste  for  land  that  the 
wind  blows  on,  instead  of  off.  But,  by  easing  the 
ship  with  a  reef  or  two,  she  would  be  jogging  sea 
ward  ;  and  all  we  gain  would  be  clear  gain  ;  because 
it  is  so  much  off  the  Hatteras.  Besides,  who  can 
say  that  to-morrow,  or  the  next  day,  we  sha Vt  have 
a  puff  out  of  America,  here  at  north-west  ?" 

"  A  couple  of  points  fall  off,  and  a  pull  upon  youi 
weather  braces,"  said  Wilder,  with  startling  quick 
ness. 

It  would  have  exceeded  the  peaceful  and  submis 
sive  temperament  of  the  honest  Earing,  to  have  delay 
ed  any  longer.  The  orders  were  given  to  the  inferi 
ors  ;  and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  they  were  obeyed — 
though  ill-suppressed  and  portentous  sounds  of  dis 
content,  at  the  undetermined,  and  seemingly  unrea 
sonable,  changes  in  their  officer's  mind  might  have 


THE   RED   ROVER.  25f> 

been  heard  issuing  from  the  mouths  of  Nighthead, 
and  other  veterans  of  the  crew. 

But  to  all  these  symptoms  of  disaffection  Wilder 
remained,  as  before,  utterly  indifferent.  If  he  heard 
them  at  all,  he  either  disdained  to  yield  them  any 
notice,  or,  guided  by  a  temporizing  policy,  he  chose 
to  appear  unconscious  of  their  import.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  vessel,  like  a  bird  whose  wing  had  wearied 
with  struggling  against  the  tempest,  and  which  in 
clines  from  the  gale  to  dart  along  an  easier  course, 
glided  swiftly  away,  quartering  the  crests  of  the 
waves,  or  sinking  gracefully  into  their  troughs,  as 
she  yielded  to  the  force  of  a  wind  that  was  now 
made  to  be  favourable;  The  sea  rolled  on,  in  a  direc 
tion  that  was  no  longer  adverse  to  her  course ;  and, 
as  she  receded  from  the  breeze,  the  quantity  of  sail 
she  had  spread  was  no  longer  found  tiying  to  her 
powers  of  endurance.  Still  she  had,  in  the  opinion 
of  all  her  crew,  quite  enough  canvas  exposed  to  a 
night  of  such  a  portentous  aspect.  But  not  so,  in 
the  judgment  of  the  stranger  who  was  charged  with 
the  guidance  of  her  destinies.  In  a  voice  that  still 
admonished  his  inferiors  of  the  danger  of  disobedi 
ence,  he  commanded  several  broad  sheets  of  stud 
ding-sails  to  be  set,  in  quick  succession.  Urged  by 
these  new  impulses,  the  ship  went  careering  over 
the  waves ;  leaving  a  train  of  foam,  in  her  track, 
that  rivalled,  in  its  volume  and  brightness,  the  tumb 
ling  summit  of  the  largest  swell. 

When  sail  after  sail  had  been  set,  until  even  Wil 
der  was  obliged  to  confess  to  himself  that  the  "  Roy 
al  Caroline,"  staunch  as  she  was,  would  bear  no 
more,  our  adventurer  began  to  pace  the  deck  again, 
and  to  cast  his  eyes  about  him,  in  order  to  watch  the 
fruits  of  his  new  experiment.  The  change  in  the 
course  of  the  Bristol  trader  had  made  a  correspond 
ing  change  in  the  apparent  direction  of  the  stranger 
who  yet  floated  in  the  horizon  like  a  diminutive  and 


256  THE    RED    ROVER. 

misty  shadow.  Still  the  unerring  compass  told  the 
watchful  mariner,  that  she  continued  to  maintain  the 
same  relative  position  as  when  first  seen.  No  effort, 
on  the  part  of  Wilder,  could  apparently  alter  hei 
bearing  an  inch.  Another  hour  soon  passed  away, 
during  which,  as  the  log  told  him,  the  "  Caroline"  had 
rolled  through  more  than  three  leagues  of  water,  and 
still  there  lay  the  stranger  in  the  west,  as  though  it 
were  merely  a  lessened  shadow  of  herself,  cast  by 
the  "  Caroline"  upon  the  distant  and  dusky  clouds* 
An  alteration  in  his  course  exposed  a  broader  sur 
face  of  his  canvas  to  the  eyes  of  the  spectators,  but 
in  nothing  else  was  there  any  visible  change.  If  his 
sails  had  been  materially  increased,  the  distance  and 
the  obscurity  prevented  even  the  understanding  Ear 
ing  from  detecting  it.  Perhaps  the  excited  mind  of 
the  worthy  mate  was  too  much  disposed  to  believe 
in  the  miraculous  powers  possessed  by  his  unac 
countable  neighbour,  to  admit  of  the  full  exercise 
of  his  experienced  faculties  on  the  occasion;  but 
even  Wilder,  who  vexed  his  sight,  in  often-repeated 
examinations,  was  obliged  to  confess  to  himself,  that 
the  stranger  seemed  to  glide,  across  the  waste  of 
waters,  more  like  a  body  floating  in  the  air,  than  a 
ship  resorting  to  the  ordinary  expedients  of  mariners. 

Mrs  Wyllys  and  her  charge  had,  by  this  time,  re 
tired  to  their  cabin ;  the  former  secretly  felicitating 
herself  on  the  prospect  of  soon  quitting  a  vessel  that 
had  commenced  its  voyage  under  such  sinister  cir 
cumstances  as  to  have  deranged  the  equilibrium  of 
even  her  well-governed  and  highly-disciplined  mind. 
Gertrude  was  left  in  ignorance  of  the  change.  To 
her  uninstructed  eye,  all  appeared  the  same  on  the 
wilderness  of  the  ocean ;  Wilder  having  it  in  his 
power  to  alter  the  direction  of  his  vessel  as  often  as 
he  pleased,  without  his  fairer  and  more  youthful 
passenger  being  any  the  wiser  for  the  same. 

Not  so,  however,  with  the  intelligent  Commander 


THE    RED    ROVER.  257 

of  the  "  Caroline"  himself.  To  him  there  was  nei 
ther  obscurity  nor  doubt,  in  the  midst  of  his  mid 
night  path.  His  eye  had  long  been  familiar  with 
every  star  that  rose  from  out  the  waving  bed  of  the 
sea,  to  set  in  another  dark  and  ragged  outline  of  the 
element ;  nor  was  there  a  blast,  that  swept  across 
the  ocean,  that  his  burning  cheek  could  not  tell  from 
what  quarter  of  the  heavens  it  poured  out  its  power. 
He  knew,  and  understood,  each  inclination  made  by 
the  bows  of  his  ship  ;  his  mind  kept  even  pace  with 
her  windings  and  turnings,  in  all  her  trackless  wan 
derings  ;  and  he  had  little  need  to  consult  any  of 
the  accessories  of  his  art,  to  tell  him  what  course  to 
steer,  or  in  what  manner  to  guide  the  movements  of 
the  nice  machine  he  governed.  Still  was  he  unable 
to  explain  the  extraordinary  evolutions  of  the  stran 
ger.  His  smallest  change  seemed  rather  anticipated 
than  followed  ;  and  his  hopes  of  eluding  a  vigilance, 
that  proved  so  watchful,  was  baffled  by  a  facility  of 
manoeuvring,  and  a  superiority  of  sailing,  that  really 
began  to  assume,  even  to  his  intelligent  eyes,  the 
appearance  of  some  unaccountable  agency. 

While  our  adventurer  was  engaged  in  the  gloomy 
musings  that  such  impressions  were  not  ill  adapted 
to  excite,  the  heavens  and  the  sea  began  to  exhibit 
another  aspect.  The  bright  streak  which  had  so 
long  hung  along  the  eastern  horizon,  as  though  the 
curtain  of  the  firmament  had  been  slightly  opened 
to  admit  a  passage  for  the  winds,  was  now  suddenly 
closed  ;  and  heavy  masses  of  black  clouds  began  to 
gather  in  that  quarter,  until  vast  volumes  of  the  va 
pour  were  piled  upon  the  water,  blending  the  two 
elements  in  one.  On  the  other  hand,  the  dark  can 
opy  lifted  in  the  west,  and  a  long  belt  of  lurid  light 
was  shed  over  the  view.  In  this  flood  of  bright  and 
portentous  mist  the  stranger  still  floated,  though  there 
were  moments  when  his  faint  and  fanciful  outlines 
seemed  to  be  melting  into  thin  air 
Y2 


258  THE    RED    ROVER. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

"  Yet  again  ?    What  do  you  here  ?    Shall  we  give  o'er,  and 

drown  ?    Have  you  a  mind  to  sink  ?" — Tempest. 

OUR  watchful  adventurer  was  not  blind  to  these 
well-known  and  sinister  omens.  No  sooner  did  the 
peculiar  atmosphere,  by  which  the  mysterious  image 
that  he  so  often  examined  was  suddenly  surrounded, 
catch  his  eye,  than  his  voice  was  heard  in  the  clear, 
powerful,  and  exciting  notes  of  warning. 

"  Stand  by,"  he  called  aloud,  "  to  in  all  studding 
sails  !  Down  with  them  !"  he  added,  scarcely  giv 
ing  his  former  words  time  to  reach  the  ears  of  his 
subordinates.  "  Down  with  every  rag  of  them,  fore 
and  aft  the  ship  !  Man  the  top-gallant  clew-lines,  Mr 
Earing.  Clew  up,  and  clew  down  !  In  with  every 
thing,  cheerily,  men  !  In  !" 

This  was  a  language  to  which  the  crew  of  the 
"  Caroline"  were  no  strangers,  and  one  which  was 
doubly  welcome  ;  since  the  meanest  seaman  of  them 
all  had  long  thought  that  his  unknown  Commander 
had  been  heedlessly  trifling  with  the  safety  of  the 
vessel,  by  the  hardy  manner  in  which  he  disregard 
ed  the  wild  symptoms  of  the  weather.  But  they 
undervalued  the  keen-eyed  vigilance  of  Wilder.  He 
had  certainly  driven  the  Bristol  trader  through  the 
water  at  a  rate  she  had  never  been  known  to  have 
gone  before  ;  but,  thus  far,  the  facts  themselves  at 
tested  in  his  favour,  since  'no  injury  was  the  conse 
quence  of  what  they  deemed  his  temerity.  At  the 
quick,  sudden  order  just  given,  however,  the  whole 
ship  was  instantly  in  an  uproar.  A  dozen  seamen 
called  to  each  other,  from  different  parts  of  the  ves 
sel,  each  striving  to  lift  his  voice  above  the  roaring 
ocean ;  and  there  was  every  appearance  of  a  general 


THE    RED    ROVER.  259 

and  inextricable  confusion ;  but  the  same  authority 
which  had  aroused  them,  thus  unexpectedly,  into 
activity,  produced  order,  from  their  ill-directed 
though  vigorous  efforts. 

Wilder  had  spoken,  to  awaken  the  drowsy,  and  to 
excite  the  torpid.  The  instant  he  found  each  man 
on  the  alert,  he  resumed  his  Orders,  with  a  calmness 
that  gave  a  direction  to  the  powers  of  all,  but  still 
with  an  energy  that  he  well  knew  was  called  for  by 
the  occasion.  The  enormous  sheets  of  duck,  which 
had  looked  like  so  many  light  clouds  in  the  murky 
and  threatening  heavens,  were  soon  seen  fluttering 
wildly,  as  they  descended  from  their  high  places ; 
and,  in  a  few  minutes,  the  ship  was  reduced  to  the 
action  of  her  more  secure  and  heavier  canvas.  To 
effect  this  object,  every  man  in  the  ship  had  exerted 
his  powers  to  the  utmost,  under  the  guidance  of  the 
steady  but  rapid  mandates  of  their  Commander. 
Then  followed  a  short  and  apprehensive  breathing 
pause.  Every  eye  was  turned  towards  the  quarter 
where  the  ominous  signs  had  been  discovered ;  and 
each  individual  endeavoured  to  read  their  import, 
with  an  intelligence  correspondent  to  the  degree  of 
skill  he  might  have  acquired,  during  his  particular 
period  of  service,  on  that  treacherous  element  which 
was  now  his  home. 

The  dim  tracery  of  the  stranger's  form  had  been 
swallowed  by  the  flood  of  misty  light,  which,  by  this 
time,  rolled  along  the  sea  like  drifting  vapour,  semi- 
pellucid,  preternatural,  and  seemingly  tangible.  The 
ocean  itself  appeared  admonished  that  a  quick  and 
violent  change  was  nigh.  The  waves  had  ceased  to 
break  in  their  former  foaming  and  brilliant  crests  , 
but  black  masses  of  the  water  were  seen  lifting  their 
surly  summits  against  the  eastern  horizon,  no  longer 
relieved  by  their  scintillating  brightness,  or  shedding 
their  own  peculiar  and  lucid  atmosphere  around 
them.  The  breeze  which  had  been  so  fresh,  and 


260  THE    RED    ROVER. 

which  had  even  blown,  at  times,  with  a  force  that 
nearly  amounted  to  a  little  gale,  was  lulling  and  be- 
ooming  uncertain,  as  though  awed  by  the  more  vio 
lent  power  that  was  gathering  along  the  borders  of 
the  sea,  in  the  direction  of  the  neighbouring  conti 
nent.  Each  moment,  the  eastern  puffs  of  air  lost 
their  strength,  and  became  more  and  more  feeble, 
until,  in  an  incredibly  short  period,  the  heavy  sails 
were  heard  flapping  against  the  masts — a  frightful 
and  ominous  calm  succeeding.  At  this  instant,  a 
glancing,  flashing  gleam  lighted  the  fearful  obscurity 
of  the  ocean ;  and  a  roar,  like  that  of  a  sudden  burst 
of  thunder,  bellowed  along  the  waters.  The  seamen 
turned  their  startled  looks  on  each  other,  and  stood 
stupid,  as  though  a  warning  had  been  given,  from 
the  heavens  themselves,  of  what  was  to  follow.  But 
their  calm  and  more  sagacious  Commander  put  a 
different  construction  on  the  signal.  His  lip  curled, 
in  high  professional  pride,  and  his  mouth  moved  rap 
idly,  while  he  muttered  to  himself,  with  a  species  of 
scorn, — 

"  Does  he  think  we  sleep  ?  Ay,  he  has  got  it  him 
self,  and  would  open  our  eyes  to  what  is  coming ! 
What  does  he  imagine  we  have  been  about,  since  the 
middle  watch  was  set  ?" 

Then,  Wilder  made  a  swift  turn  or  two  on  the 
quarter-deck,  never  ceasing  to  bend  his  quick  glances 
from  one  quarter  of  the  heavens  to  another ;  from 
the  black  and  lulling  water  on  which  his  vessel  was 
rolling,  to  the  sails ;  and  from  his  silent  and  profound 
ly  expectant  crew,  to  the  dim  lines  of  spars  that  were 
waving  above  his  head,  like  so  many  pencils  tracing 
their  curvilinear  and  wanton  images  over  the  murky 
volumes  of  the  superincumbent  clouds. 

"  Lay  the  after-yards  square  !"  he  said,  in  a  voice 
which  was  heard  by  every  man  on  deck,  though  his 
words  were  apparently  spoken  but  little  above  his 
breath.  Even  the  creaking  of  the  blocks,  as  the 


THE  RED  ROVER.  261 

spars  came  slowly  and  heavily  round  to  the  indicated 
position,  contributed  to  the  imposing  character  of 
the  moment,  and  sounded,  in  the  ears  of  all  the  in 
structed  listeners,  like  notes  of  fearful  preparation. 

"  Haul  up  the  courses  !"  resumed  Wilder,  after  a 
thoughtful,  brief  interval,  with  the  same  eloquent 
calmness  of  manner.  Then,  taking  another  glance 
at  the  threatening  horizon,  he  added,  with  emphasis, 
"  Furl  them — furl  them  both  :  Away  aloft,  and  hand 
your  courses,11  he  continued,  in  a  shout ;  "  roll  them 
up,  cheerily  ;  in  with  them,  boys,  cheerily  ;  in  I11 

The  conscious  seamen  took  their  impulses  from 
the  tones  of  their  Commander.  In  a  moment,  twen 
ty  dark  forms  were  seen  leaping  up  the  rigging,  with 
the  alacrity  of  so  many  quadrupeds  ;  and,  in  another 
minute,  the  vast  and  powerful  sheets  of  canvas  were 
effectually  rendered  harmless,  by  securing  them  in 
tight  rolls  to  their  respective  spars.  The  men  de 
scended  as  swiftly  as  they  had  mounted  to  the  yards ; 
and  then  succeeded  another  short  and  breathing 
pause.  At  this  moment,  a  candle  would  have  sent 
its  flame  perpendicularly  towards  the  heavens.  The 
ship,  missing  the  steadying  power  of  the  wind,  roll 
ed  heavily  in  the  troughs  of  the  seas,  which,  how 
ever,  began  to  be  more  diminutive,  at  each  instant ; 
as  though  the  startled  element  was  recalling,  into  the 
security  of  its  own  vast  bosom,  that  portion  of  its 
particles  which  had,  just  before,  been  permitted  to 
gambol  so  madly  over  its  surface.  The  water  wash 
ed  sullenly  along  the  side  of  the  ship,  or,  as  she  la 
bouring  rose  from  one  of  her  frequent  falls  into  the 
hollows  of  the  waves,  it  shot  back  into  the  ocean 
from  her  decks,  in  numberless  little  glittering  cas 
cades.  Every  hue  of  the  heavens,  every  sound  of 
the  element,  and  each  dusky  and  anxious  countenance 
that  was  visible,  helped  to  proclaim  the  intense  in 
terest  of  the  moment.  It  was  in  this  brief  interval 


262  Tfl£    RED    ROVER. 

of  expectation,  and  inactivity,  that  the  mates  again 
approached  their  Commander. 

"  It  is  an  awful  night,  Captain  Wilder !"  said  Ear 
ing,  presuming  on  his  rank  to  be  the  first  of  the  two 
to  speak. 

"  I  have  known  far  less  notice  given  of  a  shift  ol 
wind,"  was  the  steady  answer. 

"  We  have  had  time  to  gather  in  our  kites,  'tis 
true,  sir ;  but  there  are  signs  and  warnings,  that  come 
with  this  change,  at  which  the  oldest  seaman  has 
reason  to  take  heed  !" 

"  Yes,"  continued  Nighthead,  in  a  voice  that  sound 
ed  hoarse  and  powerful,  even  amid  the  fearful  acces 
sories  of  that  scene  ;  "  yes,  it  is  no  trifling  commis 
sion  that  can  call  people,  that  I  shall  not  name,  out 
upon  the  water  in  such  a  night  as  this.  It  was  in 
just  such  weather  that  I  saw  the  4  Vesuvius1  ketch 
go  to  a  place  so  deep,  that  her  own  mortar  would 
not  have  been  able  to  have  sent  a  bomb  into  the 
open  air,  had  hands  and  fire  been  there  fit  to  let  it 
off!" 

"Ay;  and  it  was  in  such  a  time  that  the  Green- 
landman  was  cast  upon  the  Orkneys,  in  as  flat  a  calm 
as  ever  lay  on  the  sea." 

"Gentlemen,"  said  Wilder,  with  a  peculiar  and 
perhaps  "an  ironical  emphasis  on  the  word,  "  what  is 
it  you  would  have?  There  is  not  a  breath  of  air 
stirring,  and  the  ship  is  naked  to  her  topsails  !" 

It  would  have  been  difficult  for  either  of  the  two 
malcontents  to  have  given  a  very  satisfactory  answei 
to  this  question.  Both  were  secretly  goaded  b_y 
mysterious  and  superstitious  apprehensions,  that 
were  powerfully  aided  by  the  more  real  and  intelli 
gible  aspect  of  the  night ;  but  neither  had  so  far  for 
gotten  his  manhood,  and  his  professional  pride,  as  to 
lay  bare  the  full  extent  of  his  own  weakness,  at  a 
moment  when  he  was  liable  to  be  called  upon  for 


THE    RED    ROVER.  263 

the  exhibition  of  qualities  of  a  far  more  positive  and 
determined  character.  Still,  the  feeling  that  was 
uppermost  betrayed  itself  in  the  reply  of  Earing, 
though  in  an  indirect  and  covert  manner. 

"  Yes,  the  vessel  is  snug  enough  now,"  he  said, 
"  though  eye-sight  has  shown  us  all  it  is  no  easy  mat 
ter  to  drive  a  freighted  ship  though  the  water  as  fast 
as  one  of  your  flying  craft  can  go,  aboard  of  which 
no  man  can  say,  who  stands  at  the  helm,  by  what 
compass  she  steers,  or  what  is  her  draught  1" 

"  Ay,"  resumed  Nighthead,  "  1  call  the  4  Caroline' 
fast  for  an  honest  trader,  and  few  square-rigged  boats 
are  there,  who  do  not  wear  the  pennants  of  the  King, 
that  can  eat  her  out  of  the  wind\  or  bring  her  into 
their  wake,  with  studding-sails  alSroad.  But  this  is 
a  time,  and  an  hour,  to  make  a  seaman  think.  Look 
at  yon  hazy  light,  here,  in  with  the  land,  that  is 
coming  so  fast  down  upon  us,  and  then  tell  me 
whether  it  comes  from  the  coast  of  America,  or 
whether  it  comes  from  out  of  the  stranger  who  has 
been  so  long  running  under  our  lee,  but  who  has 
got,  or  is  fast  getting,  the  wind  of  us  at  last,  and  yet 
none  here  can  say  how,  or  why.  I  have  just  this 
much,  and  no  more,  to  say :  Give  me  for  consart  a 
craft  whose  Captain  I  know,  or  give  me  none  !" 

"  Such  is  your  taste,  Mr  Nighthead,"  said  Wilder, 
coldly  ;  "  mine  may,  by  some  accident,  be  very  dif 
ferent." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  observed  the  more  cautious  and  pru 
dent  Earing,  "  in  time  of  war,  and  with  letters  of 
marque  aboard,  a  man  may  honestly  hope  the  sail 
he  sees  should  have  a  stranger  for  her  master ;  or 
otherwise  he  would  never  fall  in  with  an  enemy.  But, 
though  an  Englishman  born  myself,  I  should  rather 
give  the  ship  in  that  mist  a  clear  sea,  seeing  that  I 
neither  know  her  nation  nor  her  cruise.  Ah,  Cap 
tain  Wilder,  yonder  is  an  awful  sight  for  the  morn 
ing  watch !  Often,  and  often,  have  I  seen  the  sun 


264  THE    RED    ROVER. 

rise  in  the  east,  and  no  harm  done  ;  but  little  good 
can  come  of  a  day  when  the  light  first  breaks  in  the 
west.  Cheerfully  would  I  give  the  owners  the  last 
month's  pay,  hard  as  I  have  earned  it  with  my  toil, 
did  I  but  know  under  what  flag  yonder  stranger 
sails." 

"  Frenchman,  Don,  or  Devil,  yonder  he  comes  !' 
cried  Wilder  Then,  turning  towards  the  silent  and 
attentive  crew,  he  shouted,  in  a  voice  that  was  ap 
palling  by  its  vehemence  and  warning,  "  Let  run 
the  after  halyards  !  round  with  the  fore-yard  !  round 
with  it,  men,  with  a  will !" 

These  were  cries  that  the  startled  crew  perfectly 
understood.  Every  nerve  and  muscle  were  exerted 
to  execute  the  orders,  in  time  to  be  in  readiness  for 
the  approaching  tempest.  No  man  spoke  ;  but  each 
expended  the  utmost  of  his  power  and  skill  in  direct 
and  manly  efforts.  Nor  was  there,  in  verity,  a  mo 
ment  to  lose,  or  a  particle  of  human  strength  expend 
ed  here,  without  a  sufficient  object. 

The  lucid  and  fearful-looking  mist,  which,  for  the 
last  quarter  of  an  hour,  had  been  gathering  in  the 
north-west,  was  now  driving  down  upon  them  with 
the  speed  of  a  race-horse.  The  air  had  already 
lost  the  damp  and  peculiar  feeling  of  an  easterly 
breeze ;  and  little  eddies  were  beginning  to  flutter 
among  the  masts — precursors  of  the  coming  squall. 
Then,  a  rushing,  roaring  sound  was  heard  moaning 
along  the  ocean,  whose  surface  was  first  dimpled, 
next  ruffled,  and  finally  covered,  with  one  sheet  of 
clear,  white,  and  spotless  foam.  At  the  next  mo 
ment,  the  power  of  the  wind  fell  full  upon  the  inert 
and  labouring  Bristol  trader. 

As  the  gust  approached,  Wilder  had  seized  the 
slight  opportunity,  afforded  by  the  changeful  puffs  of 
air,  to  get  the  ship  as  much  as  possible  before  the 
wind ;  but  the  sluggish  movement  of  the  vessel  met 
neither  the  wishes  of  his  own  impatience  nor  the  exi 


THE    RED    ROVER.  266 

gencies  of  the  moment.  Her  bows  had  slowly  anil 
heavily  fallen  off  from  the  north,  leaving  her  precise 
ly  in  a  situation  to  receive  the  first  shock  on  her 
broadside.  Happy  it  was,  for  all  who  had  life  at 
risk  in  that  defenceless  vessel,  that  she  was  not  fated 
to  receive  the  whole  weight  of  the  tempest  at  a  blow. 
The  sails  fluttered  and  trembled  on  their  massive 
yards,  bellying  and  collapsing  alternately  for  a  minute, 
and  then  the  rushing  wind  swept  over  them  in  a  hur 
ricane. 

The  "  Caroline"  received  the  blast  like  a  stout 
and  buoyant  ship,  yielding  readily  to  its  impulse,  un 
til  her  side  lay  nearly  incumbent  on  the  element  in 
which  she  floated;  and  then,  as  if  the  fearful  fabric 
were  conscious  of  its  jeopardy,  it  seemed  to  lift  its 
reclining  masts  again,  struggling  to  work  its  way 
heavily  through  the  water, 

"  Keep  the  helm  a-weather !  Jam  it  a-weather, 
for  your  life  !"  shouted  Wilder,  amid  the  roar  of  the 
gust. 

The  veteran  seaman  at  the  wheel  obeyed  the 
order  with  steadiness,  but  in  vain  he  kept  his  eyes 
riveted  on  the  margin  of  his  head  sail,  in  order  to 
watch  the  manner  the  ship  would  obey  its  power. 
Twice  more,  in  as  many  moments,  the  tall  masts  fell 
towards  the  horizon,  waving  as  often  gracefully  up 
ward,  and  then  they  yielded  to  the  mighty  pressure 
of  the  wind,  until  the  whole  machine  lay  prostrate 
on  the  water. 

"Reflect!"  said  Wilder,  seizing  the  bewildered 
Earing  by  the  arm,  as  the  latter  rushed  madly  up 
the  steep  of  the  deck  ;  "  it  is  our  duty  to  be  calm  : 
Bring  hither  an  axe." 

Quick  as  the  thought  which  gave  the  order,  the 
admonished  mate  complied,  jumping  into  the  miz- 
zen-channels  of  the  ship,  to  execute,  with  his  own 
hands,  the  mandate  that  he  well  knew  must  follow 

"Shall  T  cut?"  he  demanded,  with  uplifted  arms, 
7 


266  THE    RED    ROVER, 

and  in  a  voice  that  atoned  for  his  momentary  con 
tusion,  by  its  steadiness  and  force. 

•  Hold !  Does  the  ship  mind  her  helm  at  all  ?' 

"  Not  an  inch,  sir." 

"  Then  cut,"  Wilder  clearly  and  calmly  added. 

A  single  blow  sufficed  for  the  discharge  of  the 
momentary  act.  Extended  to  the  utmost  powers  of 
endurance,  by  the  vast  weight  it  upheld,  the  lanyard 
struck  by  Earing  no  sooner  parted,  than  each  of  its 
fellows  snapped  in  succession,  leaving  the  mast  de 
pendant  on  itself  alone  for  the  support  of  all  its 
ponderous  and  complicated  hamper.  The  cracking 
of  the  wood  came  next ;  and  then  the  rigging  fell, 
like  a  tree  that  had  been  sapped  at  its  foundation, 
the  little  distance  that  still  existed  between  it  and 
the  sea. 

"  Does  she  fall  off?"  instantly  called  Wilder  to 
the  observant  seaman  at  the  wheel. 

"  She  yielded  a  little,  sir;  but  this  new  squall  is 
bringing  her  up  again." 

"  Shall  1  cut  ?"  shouted  Earing  from  the  mam  rig 
ging,  whither  he  had  leaped,  like  a  tiger  who  had 
bounded  on  his  prey. 

"  Cut !"  was  the  answer. 

A  loud  and  imposing  crash  soon  succeeded  this 
order,  though  not  before  several  heavy  blows  had 
been  struck  into  the  massive  mast  itself.  As  before, 
the  seas  received  the  tumbling  maze  of  spars,  rig 
ging,  and  sails ;  the  vessel  surging,  at  the  same  in 
stant,  from  its  recumbent  position,  and  rolling  far 
and  heavily  to  windward. 

"  She  rights  !  she  rights !"  exclaimed  twenty 
voices,  which  had  been  hitherto  mute,  in  a  suspense 
that  involved  life  and  death. 

"  Keep  her  dead  away  !"  added  the  still  calm  bul 
deeply  authoritative  voice  of  the  young  Comman 
der.  "  Stand  by  to  furl  the  fore-topsail — let  it  hang 
a  moment  to  drag  the  ship  clear  of  the  wreck — cut 


THE   RED   ROVER.  267 

cut — cheerily,  men— hatchets  and  knives — cut  with 
all,  and  cut  off  all  1" 

As  the  men  now  worked  with  the  freshened  vig 
our  of  revived  hope,  the  ropes  that  still  confined  the 
fallen  spars  to  the  vessel  were  quickly  severed  ;  and 
the  "  Caroline,"  by  this  time  dead  before  the  gale, 
appeared  barely  to  touch  the  foam  that  covered  the 
sea,  like  a  bird  that  was  swift  upon  the  wing  skim 
ming  the  waters.  The  wind  came  over  the  waste 
in  gusts  that  rumbled  like  distant  thunder,  and  with 
a  power  that  seemed  to  threaten  to  lift  the  ship  and 
its  contents  from  its  proper  element,  to  deliver  it  to 
one  still  more  variable  and  treacherous.  As  a  pru 
dent  and  sagacious  seaman  had  let  fly  the  halyards 
of  the  solitary  sail  that  remained,  at  the  moment 
when  the  squall  approached,  the  loosened  but  low 
ered  topsail  was  now  distended  in  a  manner  that 
threatened  to  drag  after  it  the  only  mast  which  still 
stood.  Wilder  instantly  saw  the  necessity  of  getting 
rid  of  this  sail,  and  he  also  saw  the  utter  impossibil 
ity  of  securing  it.  Calling  Earing  to  his  side,  he 
pointed  out  the  danger,  and  gave  the  necessary  order. 

"  Yon  spar  cannot  stand  such  shocks  much  longer," 
he  concluded ;  "  and,  should  it  go  over  the  bows, 
some  fatal  blow  might  be  given  to  the  ship  at  the 
rate  she  is  moving.  A  man  or  two  must  be  sent  aloft 
to  cut  the  sail  from  the  yards." 

"  The  stick  is  bending  like  a  willow  whip,"  return 
ed  the  mate,  "  and  the  lower  mast  itself  is  sprung. 
There  would  be  great  danger  in  trusting  a  life  in 
that  top,  while  such  wild  squalls  as  these  are  breath 
ing  around  us." 

"  You  may  be  right,""  returned  Wilder,  with  a 
sudden  conviction  of  the  truth  of  what  the  other  had 
said :  "  Stay  you  then  here  ;  and,  if  any  thing  befal 
me,  try  to  get  the  vessel  into  port  as  far  north  as  the 
Capes  of  Virginia,  at  least ; — on  no  account  attempt 
Hatteras,  in  the  present  condition  of" 


568  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"What  would  you  do,  Captain  Wilder?"  inter, 
rupted  the  mate,  laying  his  hand  powerfully  on  the 
shoulder  of  his  Commander,  who,  he  observed,  had 
already  thrown  his  sea-cap  on  the  deck,  and  was 
preparing  to  divest  himself  of  some  of  his  outer  gar 
ments. 

"  I  go  aloft,  to  ease  the  mast  of  that  topsail,  with 
out  which  we  lose  the  spar,  and  possibly  the  ship." 

"  Ay,  ay,  I  see  that  plain  enough ;  but,  shall  it  be 
said,  Another  did  the  duty  of  Edward  Earing?  It 
is  your  business  to  carry  the  vessel  into  the  Capes 
of  Virginia,  and  mine  to  cut  the  topsail  adrift.  If 
harm  comes  to  me,  why,  put  it  in  the  log,  with  a 
word  or  two  about  the  manner  in  which  I  played  my 
part :  That  is  always  the  best  and  most  proper  epi 
taph  for  a  sailor." 

Wilder  made  no  resistance,  but  resumed  his  watch 
ful  and  reflecting  attitude,  with  the  simplicity  of  one 
who  had  been  too  long  trained  to  the  discharge  of 
certain  obligations  himself,  to  manifest  surprise  that 
another  should  acknowledge  their  imperative  charac 
ter.  In  the  mean  time,  Earing  proceeded  steadily 
to  perform  what  he  had  just  promised.  Passing  into 
the  waist  of  the  ship,  he  provided  himself  with  a 
suitable  hatchet,  and  then,  without  speaking  a  sylla 
ble  to  any  of  the  mute  but  attentive  seamen,  he 
sprang  into  the  fore-rigging,  every  strand  and  rope- 
yarn  of  which  was  tightened  by  the  strain  nearly  to 
snapping.  The  understanding  eyes  of  his  observers 
comprehended  his  intention  ;  and,  with  precisely  the 
same  pride  of  station  as  had  urged  him  to  the  dan 
gerous  undertaking,  four  or  five  of  the  older  mari 
ners  jumped  upon  the  ratlings,  to  mount  with  him 
into  an  air  that  apparently  teemed  with  a  hundred 
hurricanes. 

"  Lie  down  out  of  that  fore-rigging,"  shouted 
Wilder,  through  a  deck-trumpet ;  "  lie  down  ;  all,  but 
the  mate,  lie  down  !"  His  words  were  borne  past 


THE    RED    ROVER.  269 

the  inattentive  ears  of  the  excited  and  mortified  fol 
lowers  of  Earing,  but  they  failed  of  their  effect. 
Each  man  was  too  much  bent  on  his  own  earnest 
purpose  to  listen  to  the  sounds  of  recall.  In  less 
than  a  minute,  the  whole  were  scattered  along  the 
yards,  prepared  to  obey  the  signal  of  their  officer. 
The  mate  cast  a  look  about  him ;  and,  perceiving 
that  the  time  was  comparatively  favourable,  he  struck 
a  blow  upon  the  large  rope  that  confined  one  of  the 
angles  of  the  distended  and  bursting  sail  to  the  lower 
yard.  The  effect  was  much  the  same  as  would  be 
produced  by  knocking  away  the  key-stone  of  an  ill- 
cemented  arch.  The  canvas  broke  from  all  its  fast 
enings  with  a  loud  explosion,  and,  for  an  instant,  was 
seen  sailing  in  the  air  ahead  of  the  ship,  as  though  sus 
tained  on  the  wings  of  an  eagle.  The  vessel  rose  on 
a  sluggish  wave — -the  lingering  remains  of  the  former 
breeze — and  then  settled  heavily  over  the  rolling 
surge,  borne  down  alike  by  its  own  weight  and  the 
renewed  violence  of  the  gusts.  At  this  critical  in 
stant,  while  the  seamen  aloft  were  still  gazing  in  the 
direction  in  which  the  little  cloud  of  canvas  had 
disappeared,  a  lanyard  of  the  lower  rigging  parted 
with  a  crack  that  even  reached  the  ears  of  Wilder. 

u  Lie  down !"  he  shouted  fearfully  through  his 
trumpet ;  "  down  by  the  backstays  ;  down  for  your 
lives  ;  every  man  of  you,  down  !" 

A  solitary  individual,  of  them  all,  profited  by  the 
warning,  and  was  seen  gliding  towards  the  deck  with 
the  velocity  of  the  wind.  But  rope  parted  after 
rope,  and  the  fatal  snapping  of  the  wood  instantly 
followed.  For  a  moment,  the  towering  maze  totter 
ed,  and  seemed  to  wave  towards  every  quarter  of 
the  heavens ;  and  then,  yielding  to  the  movements 
of  the  hull,  the  whole  fell,  with  a  heavy  crash,  into 
the  sea.  Each  cord,  lanyard,  or  stay  snapped,  when 
it  received  the  strain  of  its  new  position,  as  though 
it  had  been  made  of  thread,  leaving  the  naked  and 

2 


270  THE    RED    ROVER. 

despoiled  hull  of  the  "  Caroline"  to  drive  onward 
before  the  tempest,  as  if  nothing  had  occurred  to 
impede  its  progress. 

A  mute  and  eloquent  pause  succeeded  this  disas 
ter.  It  appeared  as  if  the  elements  themselves  were 
appeased  by  their  work,  and  something  like  a  mo 
mentary  lull  in  the  awful  rushing  ©f  the  winds  mlghl 
have  been  fancied.  Wilder  sprang  to  the  side  of  the 
vessel,  and  distinctly  beheld  the  victims,  who  still 
clung  to  their  frail  support.  He  even  saw  Earing 
waving  his  hand,  in  adieu,  with  a  seaman's  heart, 
and  like  a  man  who  not  only  felt  how  desperate  wa& 
his  situation,  but  one  who  knew  how  to  meet  hi? 
fate  with  resignation.  Then  the  wreck  of  spars, 
with  all  who  clung  to  it,  was  swallowed  up  in  the 
body  of  the  frightful,  preternatural-looking  mist 
which  extended  on  every  side  of  them,  from  the 
ocean  to  the  clouds. 

"  Stand  by,  to  clear  away  a  boat !"  shouted 
Wilder,  without  pausing  to  think  of  the  impossibility 
of  one's  swimming,  or  of  effecting  the  least  good,  in 
so  violent  a  tornado. 

But  the  amazed  and  confounded  seamen  who  re 
mained  needed  not  instruction  in  this  matter.  No 
man  moved,  nor  was  the  smallest  symptom  of  obe 
dience  given.  The  mariners  looked  wildly  around 
them,  each  endeavouring  to  trace,  in  the  dusky  coun 
tenance  of  the  other,  his  opinion  of  the  extent  of 
the  evil ;  but  not  a  mouth  was  opened  among  them  all. 

"  It  is  too  late — it  is  too  late  !"  murmured  Wilder 
to  himself ;  "human  skill  and  human  efforts  could 
not  save  them !" 

"  Sail,  ho  !"  Nighthead  muttered  at  his  elbow,  in 
a  voice  that  teemed  with  a  species  of  superstitious 
awe. 

"  Let  him  come  on,"  returned  his  young  Com 
mander,  bitterly ;  "  the  mischief  is  ready  finished 
to  his  hands !" 


THE    RED    ROVER,  271 

*  Should  yon  be  a  mortal  ship,  it  is  our  duty  to 
the  owners  and  the  passengers  to  speak  her,  if  a 
man  can  make  his  voice  heard  in  this  tempest,"  the 
second  mate  continued,  pointing,  through  the  haze 
at  the  dim  object  that  was  certainly  at  hand. 

"  Speak  her ! — passengers !"  muttered  Wilder,  in 
voluntarily  repeating  his  words,  "  No ;  any  thing  is 
better  than  speaking  her.  Do  you  see  the  vessel 
that  is  driving  down  upon  us  so  fast  ?"  he  sternly  de 
manded  of  the  watchful  seaman  who  still  clung  to 
the  wheel  of  the  "  Caroline," 

44  Ay,  ay,  sir,"  was  the  brief,  professional  reply. 

44  Give  her  a  birth — sheer  away  hard  to  port — 
perhaps  Ive  may  pass  us  in  the  gloom,  now  we  are 
no  higher  than  our  decks.  Give  the  ship  a  broad 
sheer,  I  say,  sir," 

The  same  laconic  answer  as  before  was  given 
and,  for  a  few  moments,  the  Bristol  trader  was  seen 
diverging  a  little  from  the  line  in  which  the  other  ap 
proached  ;  but  a  second  glance  assured  Wilder  that 
the  attempt  was  useless.  The  strange  ship  (and 
every  man  on  board  felt  certain  it  was  the  same  that 
had  so  long  been  seen  hanging  in  the  north-western 
horizon)  came  on,  through  the  mist,  with  a  swiftness 
that  nearly  equalled  the  velocity  of  the  tempestuous 
winds  themselves.  Not  a  thread  of  canvas  was  seen 
on  board  her.  Each  line  of  spars,  even  to  the  ta 
pering  and  delicate  top-gallant-masts,  was  in  its  place, 
preserving  the  beauty  and  symmetry  of  the  whole 
fabric  ;  but  nowhere  was  the  smallest  fragment  of  a 
sail  opened  to  the  gale.  Under  her  bows  rolled  a 
volume  of  foam,  that  was  even  discernible  amid  the 
universal  agitation  of  the  ocean ;  and,  as  she  came 
within  sound,  the  sullen  roar  of  the  water  might 
have  been  likened  to  the  noise  of  a  cascade.  At 
first,  the  spectators  on  the  decks  of  the  "  Caroline" 
believed  they  were  not  seen,  and  some  of  the  men 


272  THE    RED    ROVEB. 

called  madly  for  lights,  in  order  that  the  disasters  of 
the  night  might  not  terminate  in  the  dreaded  en 
counter. 

"  No  !"  exclaimed  Wilder ;  "  too  many  see  us 
there  already  !" 

"  No,  no,"  muttered  Nighthead ;  "  no  fear  but  we 
are  seen  ;  and  by  such  eyes,  too,  as  never  yet  look 
ed  out  of  mortal  head  f" 

The  seamen  paused.  In  another  instant,  the  long- 
seen  and  mysterious  ship  was  within  a  hundred  feet 
of  them.  The  very  power  of  that  wind,  which  was 
wont  usually  to  raise  the  billows,  now  pressed  the 
element,  with  the  weight  of  mountains,  into  its  bed. 
The  sea  was  every  where  a  sheet  of  froth,  but  no 
water  swelled  above  the  level  of  the  surface.  The 
instant  a  wave  lifted  itself  from  the  security  of  the 
vast  depths,  the  fluid  was  borne  away  before  the 
tornado  in  driving,  glittering  spray.  Along  this  frothy 
but  comparatively  motionless  surface,  then,  the  stran 
ger  came  booming,  with  the  steadiness  and  grandeui 
with  which  a  dark  cloud  is  seen  to  sail  before  the 
hurricane.  No  sign  of  life  was  any  where  discover 
ed  about  her.  If  men  looked  out,  from  their  secret 
places,  upon  the  straitened  and  discomfited  wreck 
of  the  Bristol  trader,  it  was  covertly,  and  as  darkly 
as  the  tempest  before  which  they  drove.  Wilder 
held  his  breath,  for  the  moment  the  stranger  drew 
nighest,  in  the  very  excess  of  suspense;  but,  as  he 
saw  no  signal  of  recognition,  no  human  form,  nor 
any  intention  to  arrest,  if  possible,  the  furious  career 
of  the  other,  a  smile  of  exultation  gleamed  across 
his  countenance,  and  his  lips  moved  rapidly,  as 
though  he  found  pleasure  m  being  abandoned  to  his 
distress.  The  stranger  drove  by,  like  a  dark  vision 
and,  ere  another  minute,  her  form  was  beginning  to 
grow  less  distinct,  in  a  thickening  body  of  the  spray 
to  leeward, 


THE    RED    ROVER.  273 

"  She  is  going  out  of  sight  in  the  mist !"  exclaimed 
Wilder,  when  he  drew  his  breath,  after  the  fearful 
suspense  of  the  few  last  moments. 

"  Ay,  in  mist,  or  clouds,"  responded  Nighthead, 
who  now  kept  obstinately  at  his  elbow,  watching 
with  the  most  jealous  distrust,  the  smallest  move 
ment  of  his  unknown  Commander. 

"  In  the  heavens,  or  in  the  sea,  I  care  not,  provid 
ed  she  be  gone." 

"  Most  seamen  would  rejoice  to  see  a  strange  sail, 
from  the  hull  of  a  vessel  shaved  to  the  deck  like 
this." 

"  Men  often  court  their  destruction,  from  igno 
rance  of  their  own  interests.  Let  him  drive  on, 
say  I,  and  pray  I  !  He  goes  four  feet  to  our  one ; 
and  now  I  ask  no  better  favour  than  that  this  hurri 
cane  may  blow  until  the  sun  shall  rise." 

Nighthead  started,  and  cast  an  oblique  glance 
which  resembled  denunciation,  at  his  companion. 
To  his  blunted  faculties,  and  superstitious  mind, 
there  was  profanity  in  thus  invoking  the  tempest,  at 
a  moment  when  the  winds  seemed  already  to  be 
pouring  out  their  utmost  wrath. 

"  This  is  a  heavy  squall,  I  will  allow,"  he  said, 
"  and  such  an  one  as  many  mariners  pass  whole  lives 
without  seeing ;  but  he  knows  little  of  the  sea  who 
thinks  there  is  not  more  wind  where  this  comes 
from." 

44  Let  it  blow  !"  cried  the  other,  striking  his  hand 
together  a  little  wildly;  "  I  pray  only  for  wind!" 

All  the  doubts  of  Nighthead,  as  to  the  character 
of  the  young  stranger  who  had  so  unaccountably  got 
possession  of  the  office  of  Nicholas  Nichols,  if,  in 
deed,  any  remained,  were  now  removed.    He  walk 
ed  forward  among  the  silent  and  thoughtful  crew 
with  the  air  of  a  man  whose  opinion  was  settled. 
Wilder,  however,  paid  no  attention  to  the  move- 


274  THE   RED   ROVER. 

ments  of  his  subordinate,  but  continued  pacing  the 
deck  for  hours  ;  now  casting  his  eyes  at  the  heavens 
or  now  sending  frequent  and  anxious  glances  arouna 
the  limited  horizon,  while  the  "  Royal  Caroline" 
still  continued  drifting  before  the  wind,  a  shorn  and 
naked  wreck. 


THE  RED   ROVER.  275 


CHAPTER  XVIL 

**Sit  Still,  and  hear  the  last  of  our  sea  sorrow." — Shakspeare 

THE  weight  of  the  tempest  had  been  felt  at  that 
hapless  moment  when  Earing  and  his  unfortunate 
companions  were  precipitated  from  their  giddy  ele 
vation  into  the  sea.  Though  the  wind  continued  to 
blow  long  after  this  fatal  event,  it  was  with  a  con 
stantly  diminishing  power.  As  the  gale  decreased 
the  sea  began  to  rise,  and  the  vessel  to  labour  in 
proportion.  Then  followed  two  hours  of  anxious 
watchfulness  on  the  part  of  Wilder,  during  which 
the  whole  of  his  professional  knowledge  was  need 
ed,  in  order  to  keep  the  despoiled  hull  of  the  Bristol 
trader  from  becoming  a  prey  to  the  greedy  waters. 
His  consummate  skill,  however,  proved  equal  to  the 
task  that  was  required  at  his  hands ;  and,  just  as  the 
symptoms  of  day  were  becoming  visible  along  the 
east,  both  wind  and  waves  were  rapidly  subsiding 
together.  During  the  whole  of  this  doubtful  period 
our  adventurer  did  not  receive  the  smallest  assistance 
from  any  of  the  crew,  with  the  exception  of  two 
experienced  seamen  whom  he  had  previously  station 
ed  at  the  wheel.  But  to  this  neglect  he  was  indif 
ferent  ;  since  little  more  was  required  than  his  own 
judgment,  seconded,  as  it  faithfully  was,  by  the  ex 
ertions  of  the  mariners  more  immediately  under  his 
eye. 

The  day  dawned  on  a  scene  entirely  different  from 
that  which  had  marked  the  tempestuous  deformity 


276  THE    RED    ROVER. 

of  the  night.  The  whole  fury  of  the  winds  appear 
ed  to  have  been  expended  in  their  precocious  effort. 
From  the  moderate  gale,  to  which  they  had  fallen 
by  the  end  of  the  middle  watch,  they  further  altered 
to  a  vacillating  breeze  ;  and,  ere  the  sun  had  risen, 
the  changeful  air  had  subsided  into  a  flat  calm.  The 
sea  went  down  as  suddenly  as  the  power  which  had 
raised  it  vanished  ;  and,  by  the  time  the  broad  gold 
en  light  of  the  sun  was  shed  fairly  and  fully  upon 
the  unstable  element,  it  lay  unruffled  and  polished, 
though  still  gently  heaving  in  swells  so  long  and  heavy 
as  to  resemble  the  placid  respiration  of  a  sleeping 
infant. 

The  hour  was  still  early,  and  the  serene  appear 
ance  of  the  sky  and  the  ocean  gave  every  promise 
of  a  day  which  might  be  passed  in  devising  the  ex 
pedients  necessary  to  bring  the  ship  again,  in  some 
measure,  under  the  command  of  her  people. 

"  Sound  the  pumps,"  said  Wilder,  observing  that 
the  crew  were  appearing  from  the  different  places 
in  which  they  had  bestowed  their  cares  and  their 
persons  together,  during  the  later  hours  of  the  night. 

"  Do  you  hear  me,  sir?'*  he  added  sternly,  observ 
ing  that  no  one  moved  to  obey  his  order.  "  Let  the 
pumps  be  sounded,  and  the  ship  cleared  of  every 
inch  of  water." 

Nighthead,  to  whom  Wilder  had  now  addressed 
himself,  regarded  his  Commander  with  an  oblique 
ind  sullen  eye,  and  then  exchanged  singularly  intel 
ligent  glances  with  his  comrades,  before  he  saw  fit 
to  make  the  smallest  motion  towards  compliance. 
But  there  was  that,  in  the  authoritative  mien  of  his 
superior,  which  finally  induced  him  to  comply.  The 
dilatory  manner  in  which  the  seamen  performed  the 
duty  was  quickened,  however,  as  the  rod  ascended, 
and  the  well-known  signs  of  a  formidable  leak  met 
their  eyes.  The  experiment  was  repeated  with 
greater  activity,  and  with  far  more  precision. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  277 

If  witchcraft  can  clear  the  hold  of  a  ship  that 
is  already  half  full  of  water,"  said  Nighthead,  cast 
ing  another  sullen  glance  towards  the  attentive  Wil 
der,  "  the  sooner  it  is  done  the  better ;  for  the  whole 
cunning  of  something  more  than  a  bungler  in  the 
same  will  be  needed,  in  order  to  make  the  pumps  of 
the  '  Royal  Caroline'  suck  !" 

"Does  the  ship  leak?"  demanded  his  superior 
with  a  quickness  of  utterance  which  sufficiently 
proclaimed  how  important  he  deemed  the  intelli 
gence. 

"  Yesterday,  I  would  have  boldly  put  my  name  to 
the  articles  of  any  craft  that  floats  the  ocean  ;  and 
had  the  Captain  asked  me  if  I  understood  her  nature 
and  character,  as  certain  as  that  my  name  is  Francis 
Nighthead,  I  should  have  told  him,  yes.  But  I  find 
that  the  oldest  seaman  may  still  learn  something  of 
the  water ;  though  it  should  be  got  in  crossing  a  ferry 
in  a  flat." 

"  What  mean  you,  sir  ?"  demanded  Wilder,  who, 
for  the  first  time,  began  to  note  the  mutinous  looks 
assumed  by  his  mate,  no  less  than  the  threatening 
manner  in  which  he  was  seconded  by  the  crew. 
"  Have  the  pumps  rigged  without  delay,  and  clear 
the  ship  of  the  water." 

Nighthead  slowly  complied  with  the  former  part 
of  this  order ;  and,  in  a  few  moments,  every  thing 
was  arranged  to  commence  the  necessary,  and,  as  it 
would  seem,  urgent  duty  of  pumping.  But  no  man 
lifted  his  hand  to  the  laborious  employment.  The 
quick  eye  of  Wilder,  who  had  now  taken  the  alarm, 
was  not  slow  in  detecting  this  reluctance ;  and  he 
repeated  the  order  more  sternly,  calling  to  two  of 
the  seamen,  by  name,  to  set  the  example  of  obedi 
ence.  The  men  hesitated,  giving  an  opportunity  to 
the  mate  to  confirm  them,  by  his  voice,  in  theii 
mutinous  intentions. 

*'  What  need  of  hands  to  work  a  pump  in  a  vessel 
2  A 


278  THE    RED    ROVER. 

.ike  this  ?"  he  said,  with  a  coarse  laugh,  hut  in  which 
secret  terror  struggled  strangely  with  open  malice. 
"  After  what  we  have  all  seen  this  night,  none  here 
will  be  amazed,  should  the  vessel  begin  to  spout  out 
the  brine  like  a  breathing  whale." 

"  What  am  I  to  understand  by  this  hesitation,  and 
by  this  language?"  said  Wilder,  approaching  Night- 
head  with  a  firm  step,  and  an  eye  too  proud  to  quail 
before  the  plainest  symptoms  of  insubordination. 
"  Is  it  you,  sir,  who  should  be  foremost  in  exertion 
at  a  moment  like  this,  who  dare  to  set  an  example 
of  disobedience  ?" 

The  mate  recoiled  a  pace,  and  his  lips  moved , 
still  he  uttered  no  audible  reply.  Wilder  once  more 
bade  him,  in  a  calm  and  authoritative  tone,  lay  his 
own  hands  to  the  brake.  Nighthead  then  found  his 
voice,  in  time  to  make  a  flat  refusal ;  and,  at  the  next 
moment,  he  was  felled  to  the  feet  of  his  indignant 
Commander,  by  a  blow  he  had  neither  the  address 
nor  the  power  to  resist.  This  act  of  decision  was 
succeeded  by  one  single  moment  of  breathless,  wav 
ering  silence  among  the  crew  ;  and  then  the  common 
cry,  and  the  general  rush  of  every  man  upon  our  de 
fenceless  and  solitary  adventurer,  were  the  signals 
that  open  hostility  had  commenced.  A  shriek  from 
the  quarter-deck  arrested  their  efforts,  just  as  a  doz 
en  hands  were  laid  violently  upon  the  person  of 
Wilder,  and,  for  the  moment,  occasioned  a  truce.  It 
was  the  fearful  cry  of  Gertrude,  which  possessed 
even  the  influence  to  still  the  savage  intentions  of  a 
set  of  beings  so  rude  and  so  unnurtured  as  those 
whose  passions  had  just  been  awakened  into  fierce 
activity.  Wilder  was  released  ;  and  all  eyes  turned, 
by  a  common  impulse,  in  the  direction  of  the  sound. 

During  the  more  momentous  hours  of  the  past 
night,  the  very  existence  of  the  passengers  below 
had  been  forgotten  by  most  of  those  whose  duty 
kept  them  to  the  deck.  If  they  had  been  recalled 


THE   RED    ROVER.  279 

at  all  to  the  recollection  of  any,  it  was  at  those  fleet 
ing  moments  when  the  mind  of  the  young  mariner, 
who  directed  the  movements  of  the  ship,  found  lei 
sure  to  catch  stolen  glimpses  of  softer  scenes  than 
the  wild  warring  of  the  elements  that  was  so  active 
ly  raging  before  his  eyes.  Nighthead  had  named 
them,  as  he  would  have  made  allusion  to  a  part  of 
the  cargo,  but  their  fate  had  little  influence  on  his 
hardened  nature.  Mrs  Wyllys  and  her  charge  had 
therefore  remained  below  during  the  whole  period, 
perfectly  unapprised  of  the  disasters  of  the  interven 
ing  time.  Buried  in  the  recesses  of  their  births, 
they  had  heard  the  roaring  of  the  winds,  and  the  in 
cessant  washing  of  the  waters ;  but  these  usual  ac 
companiments  of  a  storm  had  served  to  conceal 
the  crashing  of  masts,  and  the  hoarse  cries  of  the 
manners.  For  the  moments  of  terrible  suspense 
while  the  Bristol  trader  lay  on  her  side,  the  better 
informed  governess  had,  indeed,  some  fearful  glim 
merings  of  the  truth ;  but,  conscious  of  her  useless- 
ness,  and  unwilling  to  alarm  her  less  instructed  com 
panion,  she  had  sufficient  self-command  to  be  mute. 
The  subsequent  silence,  and  comparative  calm,  in 
duced  her  to  believe  that  she  had  been  mistaken  in 
her  apprehensions  ;  and,  long  ere  morning  dawned, 
both  she  and  Gertrude  had  sunk  into  sweet  and  re 
freshing  slumbers.  They  had  risen  and  mounted  to 
the  deck  together,  and  were  still  in  the  first  burst  of 
their  wonder  at  the  desolation  which  met  their  gaz&, 
when  the  long-meditated  attack  on  Wilder  was  made. 

"  What  means  this  awful  change  ?"  demanded  Mrs 
Wyllys,  with  a  lip  that  quivered,  and  a  cheek  which, 
notwithstanding  the  extraordinary  power  she  pos 
sessed  over  her  feelings,  was  blanched  to  the  colour 
of  death. 

The  eye  of  Wilder  was  glowing,  and  his  brow 
was  dark  as  those  heavens  from  which  they  had  just 


280  THE    RED    ROVER. 

so  happ  ly  escaped,  as  he  answered,  menacing  his 
assailants  with  an  arm, — 

"  It  means  mutiny,  Madam ;  rascally,  cowardly 
mutiny !" 

"  Could  mutiny  strip  a  vessel  of  her  masts,  and 
leave  her  a  helpless  log  upon  the  sea  ?" 

"  Hark  ye,  Madam !"  roughly  interrupted  the  mate ; 
"  to  you  I  will  speak  freely ;  for  it  is  well  known 
who  you  are,  and  that  you  came  on  board  the  4  Caro 
line1  a  paying  passenger.  This  night  have  I  seen 
the  heavens  and  the  ocean  hehave  as  I  have  never 
seen  them  behave  before.  Ships  have  been  running 
afore  the  wind,  light  and  buoyant  as  corks,  with  all 
their  spars  stepped  and  steady,  when  other  ships 
have  been  shaved  of  every  mast  as  close  as  the  razor 
sweeps  the  chin.  Cruisers  have  been  fallen  in  with, 
sailing  without  living  hands  to  work  them  ;  and,  all 
together,  no  man  here  has  ever  before  passed  a  mid 
dle  watch  like  the  one  gone  by." 

"  And  what  has  this  to  do  with  the  violence  I  have 
just  witnessed  ?  Is  the  vessel  fated  to  endure  every 
evil ! — Can  you  explain  this,  Mr  Wilder  ?" 

"  You  cannot  say,  at  least,  you  had  no  warning  of 
danger,"  returned  Wilder,  smiling  bitterly. 

"  Ay,  the  devil  is  obliged  to  be  honest  on  compul 
sion,"  resumed  the  mate.  "  Each  of  his  imps  sails 
with  his  orders ;  and,  thank  Heaven !  however  he 
may  be  minded  to  overlook  the  same,  he  has  neither 
courage  nor  power  to  do  it.  Otherwise,  a  peaceful 
voyage  would  be  such  a  rarity,  in  these  unsettled 
times,  that  few  men  would  be  found  hardy  enough 
to  venture  on  the  water  for  a  livelihood. — A  warn 
ing  !  Ay,  we  will  own  you  gave  us  open  and  frequent 
warning.  It  was  a  notice,  that  the  consignee  should 
not  have  overlooked,  when  Nicholas  Nichols  met 
with  the  hurt,  as  the  anchor  was  leaving  the  bottom. 
I  never  knew  an  accident  happen  at  such  a  time, 


THE    RED    ROVER.  281 

and  no  ei  il  come  of  it.  Then,  had  we  a  warning 
with  the  old  man  in  the  boat;  besides  the  never- 
failing  ill  luck  of  sending  the  pilot  violently  out  of 
the  ship.  As  if  all  this  wasn't  enough,  instead  of 
taking  a  hint,  and  lying  peaceably  at  our  anchors, 
we  got  the  ship  under  way,  and  left  a  safe  and  friend 
ly  harbour  of  a  Friday,  of  all  the  days  in  a  week  !* 
So  far  from  being  surprised  at  what  has  happened,  1 
only  wonder  at  finding  myself  still  a  living  man ;  the 
reason  of  which  is  simply  this,  that  I  have  given  my 
faith  where  faith  only  is  due,  and  not  to  unknown 
mariners  and  strange  Commanders.  Had  Edward 
Earing  done  the  same,  he  might  still  have  had  a 
plank  between  him  and  the  bottom  ;  but,  though  half 
inclined  to  believe  in  the  truth,  he  had,  after  all,  too 
much  leaning  to  superstition  and  credulity." 

This  laboured  and  characteristic  profession  of 
faith  in  the  mate,  though  sufficiently  intelligible  to 
Wilder,  was  still  a  perfect  enigma  to  his  female  lis 
teners.  But  Nighthead  had  not  formed  his  resolu 
tion  by  halves,  neither  had  he  gone  thus  far,  with 
any  intention  to  stop  short  of  the  completion  of  his 
whole  design.  In  a  very  few  summary  words,  he 
explained  to  Mrs  Wyllys  the  desolate  condition  of 
the  ship,  and  the  utter  improbability  that  she  could 
continue  to  float  many  hours ;  since  actual  observa 
tion  had  told  him  that  her  lower  hold  was  already 
half  full  of  water. 

"And  what  is  then  to  be  done?"  demanded  the 
governess,  casting  a  glance  of  bitter  distress  towards 
the  pallid  and  attentive  Gertrude.  "  Is  there  no  sail 

*  The  superstition,  that  Friday  is  an  evil  day,  was  not  pe 
culiar  to  Nighthead ;  it  prevails,  more  or  less,  among  seamen, 
to  this  hour.  An  intelligent  merchant  of  Connecticut  had  a 
desire  to  do  his  part  in  eradicating  an  impression  that  is  some 
times  inconvenient.  He  caused  the  keel  of  a  vessel  to  be  laid 
on  a  Friday ;  she  was  launched  on  a  Friday  ;  named  the 
"  Friday  ;"  and  sailed  on  her  first  voyage  on  a  Friday.  Un 
fortunately  for  the  success  of  this  well-intentioned  experiment, 
neither  vessel  nor  crew  were  ever  again  heard  of  I 
2A2 


282  THE    RED    ROVER. 

in  sight,  to  take  us  from  the  wreck  ?  or  must  we 
perish  in  our  helplessness  !" 

"God  protect  us  from  anymore  strange  sails !" 
exclaimed  the  surly  Nighthead.  "  There  we  have 
the  pinnace  hanging  at  the  stern,  and  here  must  be 
land  at  some  forty  leagues  to  the  north-west.  Water 
and  food  are  plenty,  and  twelve  stout  hands  can  soon 
pull  a  boat  to  the  continent  of  America ;  that  is,  always 
provided,  America  is  left  where  it  was  seen  no  later 
than  at  the  sun-set  of  yesterday.'1 

"  You  then  propose  to  abandon  the  vessel  ?" 

"  I  do.  The  interest  of  the  owners  is  dear  to  all 
good  seamen,  but  life  is  sweeter  than  gold." 

"  The  will  of  heaven  be  done  !  But  surely  you 
meditate  no  violence  against  this  gentleman,  who,  1 
am  quite  certain,  has  governed  the  vessel,  in  very 
critical  circumstances,  with  a  discretion  far  beyond 
his  years  !" 

Nighthead  muttered  his  intentions,  whatever  they 
might  be,  to  himself;  and  then  he  walked  apart,  ap 
parently  to  confer  with  the  men,  who  already  seem 
ed  but  too  well  disposed  to  second  any  of  his  views, 
however  mistaken  or  lawless.  During  the  few  mo 
ments  of  suspense  that  succeeded,  Wilder  stood  si 
lent  and  composed,  a  smile  of  something  like  scorn 
struggling  about  his  lip,  and  maintaining  the  air  rather 
of  one  who  had  power  to  decide  on  the  fortunes  of 
others,  than  of  a  man  whose  own  fate  was  most 
probably  at  that  very  moment  in  discussion.  Wrhen 
the  dull  minds  of  the  seamen  had  arrived  at  their 
conclusion,  the  mate  advanced  to  proclaim  the  result. 
Indeed,  words  were  unnecessary,  in  order  to  make 
known  a  very  material  part  of  their  decision ;  for 
a  party  of  the  men  proceeded  instantly  to  lower  the 
stern-boat  into  the  water,  while  others  set  about 
supplying  it  with  the  necessary  means  of  subsistence. 

"  There  is  room  for  all  the  Christians  in  the  ship 
to  stow  themselves  in  this  pinnace,"  resumed  Night 


THE   RED    ROVER.  283 

head ;  «*  and  as  for  those  that  place  their  dependance 
on  any  particular  persons,  why,  let  them  call  for  aid 
where  they  have  been  used  to  receive  it." 

44  From  all  which  I  am  to  infer  that  it  is  your  in 
tention,"  said  Wilder,  calmly,  "to  abandon  the  wreck 
and  your  duty  ?" 

The  half-awed  but  still  resentful  mate  returned  a 
took  in  which  fear  and  triumph  struggled  for  the 
mastery,  as  he  answered, — 

"  You,  who  know  how  to  sail  a  ship  without  a 
crew,  can  never  want  a  boat !  Besides,  you  shall 
never  say  to  your  friends,  whoever  they  may  be,  that 
we  leave  you  without  the  means  of  reaching  the  land, 
if  you  are  indeed  a  land-bird  at  all.  There  is  the 
launch." 

"  There  is  the  launch !  but  well  do  you  know,  that, 
without  masts,  all  your  united  strengths  could  not 
lift  it  from  the  deck ;  else  would  it  not  be  left." 

"  They  that  took  the  masts  out  of  the  l  Caroline' 
can  put  them  in  again,"  rejoined  a  grinning  seaman; 
"  it  will  not  be  an  hour  after  we  leave  you,  before  a 
sheer-hulk  will  come  alongside,  to  step  the  spars 
again,  and  then  you  may  go  cruise  in  company." 

Wilder  appeared  to  be  superior  to  any  reply.  He 
began  to  pace  the  deck,  thoughtful,  it  is  true,  but  still 
composed,  and  entirely  self-possessed.  In  the  mean 
time,  as  a  common  desire  to  quit  the  wreck  as  soon 
as  possible  actuated  all  the  men,  their  preparations 
advanced  with  incredible  activity.  The  wondering 
and  alarmed  females  had  hardly  time  to  think  clear 
ly  on  the  extraordinary  situation  in  which  they  found 
themselves,  before  they  saw  the  form  of  the  helpless 
Master  borne  past  them  to  the  boat ;  and,  in  another 
minute,  they  were  summoned  to  take  their  places  at 
his  side. 

Thus  imperiously  called  upon  to  act,  they  began 
to  feel  the  necessity  of  decision.  Remonstrances, 
they  feared,  would  be  useless ;  for  the  fierce  and 


284  THE    RED    ROVER. 

malignant  looks  which  were  cast,  from  time  to  time, 
at  Wilder,  as  the  labour  proceeded,  proclaimed  the 
danger  of  awakening  such  obstinate  and  ignorant 
minds  into  renewed  acts  of  violence.  The  govern 
ess  bethought  her  of  an  appeal  to  the  wounded  man , 
but  the  look  of  wild  care  which  he  had  cast  about 
him,  on  being  lifted  to  the  deck,  and  the  expression 
of  bodily  and  mental  pain  that  gleamed  across  his 
rugged  features,  as  he  buried  them  in  the  blankets  by 
which  he  was  enveloped,  but  too  plainly  announced 
that  little  assistance  was,  in  his  present  condition,  to 
be  expected  from  him. 

"  What  remains  for  us  to  do  ?"  she  at  length  de 
manded  of  the  seemingly  insensible  object  of  her 
concern. 

"  I  would  I  knew  !"  he  answered  quickly,  casting 
a  keen  but  hurried  glance  around  the  whole  horizon. 
"  It  is  not  improbable  that  they  should  reach  the 
shore.  Four-and-twenty  hours  of  calm  will  assure 
it." 

"  And  if  otherwise  ?" 

"  A  blow  at  north-west,  or  from  any  quarter  off 
the  land,  will  prove  their  ruin." 

"  But  the  ship  ?" 

"  If  deserted,  she  must  sink." 

"  Then  will  I  speak  in  your  favour  to  these  hearts 
of  flint !  I  know  not  why  I  feel  such  interest  in 
your  welfare,  inexplicable  youpg  man,  but  much 
would  I  suffer  rather  than  believe  that  you  incurred 
this  peril." 

"  Stop,  dearest  Madam,"  said  Wilder,  respectfully 
arresting  her  movement  with  his  hand.  "  I  cannot 
leave  the  vessel." 

"  We  know  not  yet.  The  most  stubborn  natures 
may  be  subdued ;  even  ignorance  can  be  made  to 
open  its  ears  at  the  voice  of  entreaty.  I  may  pre« 
vail." 

"  There  is  one  temper  to  be  quelled— one  reason 


THE  RED  ROVER.  285 

to  convince — one  prejudice  to  conquer,  over  which 
you  have  no  power." 

"Whose  is  that?" 

"  My  own." 

"  What  mean  you,  sir  ?  Surely  you  are  not  weak 
enough  to  suffer  resentment  against  such  beings  to 
goad  you  to  an  act  of  madness  ?" 

"Do  I  seem  mad?"  demanded  Wilder.  "The 
feeling  by  which  I  am  governed  may  be  false,  but, 
such  as  it  is,  it  is  grafted  on  my  habits,  my  opinions ; 
I  will  say,  my  principles.  Honour  forbids  me  to 
quit  a  ship  that  I  command,  while  a  plank  of  her  is 
afloat." 

"  Of  what  use  can  a  single  arm  prove  at  such  a 
crisis  ?" 

"  None,"  he  answered,  with  a  melancholy  smile. 
'  I  must  die,  in  order  that  others,  who  may  be  ser 
viceable  hereafter,  should  do  their  duty." 

Both  Mrs  Wyllys  and  Gertrude  stood  regarding 
his  kindling  eye,  but  otherwise  placid  countenance, 
with  looks  whose  concern  amounted  to  horror.  The 
former  read,  in  the  very  composure  of  his  mien,  the 
unalterable  character  of  his  resolution ;  and  the  lat 
ter,  shuddering  as  the  prospect  of  the  cruel  fate 
which  awaited  him  crowded  on  her  mind,  felt  a 
glow  about  her  own  youthful  heart  that  almost 
tempted  her  to  believe  his  self-devotion  commenda 
ble.  But  the  governess  saw  new  reasons  for  appre 
hension  in  the  determination  of  Wilder.  If  she  had 
hitherto  felt  reluctance  to  trust  herself  and  her  ward 
with  a  band  such  as  that  which  now  possessed  the 
sole  authority,  it  was  more  than  doubly  increased  by 
the  rude  and  noisy  summons  she  received  to  hasten 
and  take  her  place  among  them. 

"  Would  to  Heaven  I  knew  in  what  manner  to 
choose  !"  she  exclaimed.  "  Speak  to  us,  young  man, 
as  you  would  counsel  mother  and  sister." 

"Were  I  so  fortunate  as  to  possess  relatives  so 


286  THE    RED    ROVER. 

near  and  dear,"  returned  the  other,  with  emphasis 
"  nothing  should  separate  us  at  a  time  like  this." 

"  Is  there  hope  for  those  who  remain  on  the 
wreck?" 

"  But  little." 

"And  in  the  boat?" 

It  was  near  a  minute  before  Wilder  made  any  an 
swer.  He  again  turned  his  look  around  the  bright 
and  broad  horizon,  and  he  appeared  to  study  the 
heavens,  in  the  direction  of  the  distant  Continent, 
with  infinite  care.  No  omen  that  could  indicate  the 
probable  character  of  the  weather  escaped  his  vigi 
lance,  while  his  countenance  reflected  all  the  vari 
ous  emotions  by  which  he  was  governed,  as  he  gazed. 

"  As  I  am  a  man,  Madam,"  he  answered  with  fer 
vour,  "  and  one  who  is  bound  not  only  to  counsel 
but  to  protect  your  sex,  I  distrust  the  time.  I  think 
the  chance  of  being  seen  by  some  passing  sail  equal 
to  the  probability  that  those  who  adventure  in  the 
pinnace  will  ever  reach  the  land." 

"  Then  let  us  remain,"  said  Gertrude,  the  blood, 
for  the  first  time  since  her  re-appearance  on  deck, 
rushing  into  her  colourless  cheeks,  until  they  appear 
ed  charged  to  fulness.  "  I  like  not  the  wretches 
who  would  be  our  companions  in  that  boat." 

"  Away,  away  !"  impatiently  shouted  Nighthead 
"  Each  minute  of  light  is  a  week  of  life  to  us  all,  and 
every  moment  of  calm,  a  year.  Away,  away,  or  we 
leave  you  !" 

Mrs  Wyllys  answered  not,  but  she  stood  the  image 
of  doabt  and  painful  indecision.  Then  the  plash  of 
oars  was  heard  in  the  water,  and  at  the  next  moment 
the  pinnace  was  seen  gliding  over  the  element,  inv 
pelled  by  the  strong  arms  of  six  powerful  rowers. 

"  Stay  !"  shrieked  the  governess,  no  longer  unde 
termined  ;  "  receive  my  child,  though  you  abandon 
me  !" 

A  \vave  of  the  hand,  and  an  indistinct  rumbling 


THE    RED    KOVfcR.  287 

in  the  coarse  tones  of  the  mate,  were  the  only  an 
swers  given  to  her  appeal.  A  long,  deep,  and  breath 
ing  silence  followed  among  the  deserted.  The  grim 
countenances  of  the  seamen  in  the  pinnace  soon  be 
came  confused  and  indistinct ;  and  then  the  boat  it 
self  began  to  lessen  on  the  eye,  until  it  seemed  no 
more  than  a  dark  and  distant  speck,  rising  and  fall 
ing  with  the  flow  and  reflux  of  the  blue  waters.  Du 
ring  all  this  time,  not  even  a  whispered  word  was 
spoken.  Each  of  the  party  gazed,  until  sight  grew 
dim,  at  the  receding  object ;  and  it  was  only  when 
his  organs  refused  to  convey  the  tiny  image  to  his 
brain,  that  Wilder  himself  shook  off  the  impression 
of  the  sort  of  trance  into  which  he  had  fallen.  His 
look  became  bent  on  his  companions,  and  he  pressed 
his  hand  upon  his  forehead,  as  though  his  brain  were 
bewildered  by  the  deep  responsibility  he  had  assum 
ed  in  advising  them  to  remain.  But  the  sickening 
apprehension  quickly  passed  away,  leaving  in  its 
place  a  firmer  mind,  and  a  resolution  too  often  tried 
in  scenes  of  doubtful  issue,  to  be  long  or  easily  sha 
ken  from  its  calmness  and  self-possession. 

"  They  are  gone  !"  he  exclaimed,  breathing  long 
and  heavily,  like  one  whose  respiration  had  been 
unnaturally  suspended. 

"  They  are  gone  !"  echoed  the  governess,  turning 
an  eye,  that  was  contracting  with  the  intensity  of 
her  care,  on  the  marble-like  and  motionless  form  of 
her  pupil  "  There  is  no  longer  any  hope." 

The  look  that  Wilder  bestowed,  on  the  same  silent 
but  lovely  statue,  was  scarcely  less  expressive  than 
the  gaze  of  her  who  had  nurtured  the  infancy  of  the 
Southern  Heiress,  in  innocence  and  love.  His  brow 
grew  thoughtful,  and  his  lips  became  compressed, 
while  all  the  resources  of  his  fertile  imagination  and 
long  experience  gathered  in  his  mind,  in  engrossing, 
intense  reflection. 

"  Is  there  hope  ?"  demanded  the  governess,  who 


288  THE    RED    ROVER. 

was  watching  the  change  of  his  working  counte 
nance,  with  an  attention  that  never  swerved. 

The  gloom  passed  away  from  his  swarthy  features, 
and  the  smile  that  lighted  them  was  like  the  radiance 
of  the  sun,  as  it  breaks  through  the  blackest  vapours 
of  the  drifting  gust. 

"  There  is  !"  he  said  with  firmness  ;  "  our  case  is 
far  from  desperate." 

"  Then,  may  He  who  rules  the  ocean  and  the 
land  receive  the  praise  !"  cried  the  grateful  govern 
ess,  giving  vent  to  her  long-suppressed  agony  in  a 
flood  of  tears. 

Gertrude  cast  herself  upon  the  neck  of  Mrs 
Wyllys,  and  for  a  minute  their  unrestrained  emo 
tions  were  mingled. 

"  And  now,  my  dearest  Madam,"  said  Gertrude, 
leaving  the  arms  of  her  governess,  "  let  us  trust  to 
the  skill  of  Mr  Wilder ;  he  has  foreseen  and  fore 
told  this  danger;  equally  well  may  he  predict  our 
safety." 

"  Foreseen  and  foretold !"  returned  the  other,  in 
a  manner  to  show  that  her  faith  in  the  professional 
prescience  of  the  stranger  was  not  altogether  so  un 
bounded  as  that  of  her  more  youthful  and  ardent 
companion.  "  No  mortal  could  have  foreseen  this 
awful  calamity  ;  and  least  of  all,  foreseeing  it,  would 
he  have  sought  to  incur  its  danger !  Mr  Wilder,  1 
will  not  annoy  you  with  requests  for  explanations 
that  might  now  be  useless,  but  you  will  not  refuse 
to  communicate  your  grounds  of  hope." 

Wilder  hastened  to  relieve  a  curiosity  that  he  well 
knew  must  be  as  painful  as  it  was  natural.  The 
mutineers  had  left  the  largest,  and  much  the  safest, 
of  the  two  boats  belonging  to  the  wreck,  from  a  de 
sire  to  improve  the  calm,  well  knowing  that  hours  of 
severe  labour  would  be  necessary  to  launch  it,  from 
the  place  it  occupied  between  the  stumps  of  the  two 
principal  masts,  into  the  ocean.  This  operation. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  289 

which  might  have  heen  executed  in  a  few  minutes 
with  the  ordinary  purchases  of  the  ship,  would  have 
required  all  their  strength  united,  and  that,  too,  to 
be  exercised  with  a  discretion  and  care  that  would 
have  consumed  too  many  of  those  moments  which 
they  rightly  deemed  to  be  so  precious  at  that  wild 
and  unstable  season  of  the  year.  Into  this  little  ark 
Wilder  proposed  to  convey  such  articles  of  comfort 
and  necessity  as  he  might  hastily  collect  from  the 
abandoned  vessel;  and  then,  entering  it  with  his 
companions,  to  await  the  critical  instant  when  the 
wreck  should  sink  from  beneath  them. 

"  Call  you  this  hope  ?"  exclaimed  Mrs  Wyllys, 
when  his  short  explanation  was  ended,  her  cheek 
again  blanching  with  disappointment.  "  I  have  heard 
that  the  gulf,  which  foundering  vessels  leave,  swal 
lows  all  lesser  objects  that  are  floating  nigh !" 

"  It  sometimes  happens.  For  worlds  I  would  not 
deceive  you  ;  and  I  now  say  that  I  think  our  chance 
for  escape  equal  to  that  of  being  ingulfed  with  the 
vessel." 

"  This  is  terrible !"  murmured  the  governess, 
"  but  the  will  of  Heaven  be  done  !  Cannot  ingenuity 
supply  the  place  of  strength,  and  the  boat  be  cast 
from  the  decks  before  the  fatal  moment  arrives  ?" 

Wilder  shook  his  head  in  an  unequivocal  negative. 

"  We  are  not  so  weak  as  you  may  think  us,"  said 
Gertrude.  "  Give  a  direction  to  our  efforts,  and  let 
us  see  what  may  yet  be  done.  Here  is  Cassandra," 
she  added — turning  to  the  black  girl  already  intro 
duced  to  the  reader,  who  stood  behind  her  young 
and  ardent  mistress,  with  the  mantle  and  shawls  of 
the  latter  thrown  over  her  arm,  as  if  about  to  attend 
her  on  an  excursion  for  the  morning — "  here  is  Cas 
sandra,  who  alone  has  nearly  the  strength  of  a  man." 

"  Had  she  the  strength  of  twenty,  I  should  despah 
of  launching  the  boat  without  the  aid  of  machinery 
But  we  lose  time  in  words ;  I  will  go  below,  in  or- 
2B 


THE    RED    HOVER. 

der  to  judge  of  the  probable  duration  of  our  doubt 
and  then  to  our  preparations.     Even  you,  fair  and 
fragile  as  you  seem,  lovely  being,  may  aid  in  the 
latter." 

He  then  pointed  out  such  lighter  objects  as  would 
be  necessary  to  their  comfort,  should  they  be  so  for 
tunate  as  to  get  clear  of  the  wreck,  and  advised  their 
being  put  into  the  boat  without  delay.  While  the 
three  females  were  thus  usefully  employed,  he  de 
scended  into  the  hold  of  the  ship,  in  order  to  note 
the  increase  of  the  water,  and  make  his  calculations 
on  the  time  that  would  elapse  before  the  sinking 
fabric  must  entirely  disappear.  The  fact  proved  their 
case  to  be  more  alarming  than  even  Wilder  had  been 
led  to  expect.  Stripped  of  her  masts,  the  vessel  had 
laboured  so  heavily  as  to  open  many  of  her  seams ; 
and,  as  the  upper  works  began  to  settle  beneath  the 
level  of  the  ocean,  the  influx  of  the  element  was  in 
creasing  with  frightful  rapidity.  As  the  young  mari 
ner  gazed  about  him  with  an  understanding  eye,  he 
cursed,  in  the  bitterness  of  his  heart,  the  ignorance 
and  superstition  that  had  caused  the  desertion  of  the 
remainder  of  the  crew.  There  existed,  in  reality, 
no  evil  that  exertion  and  skill  could  not  have  rem 
edied  ;  but,  deprived  of  all  aid,  he  at  once  saw  the 
folly  of  even  attempting  to  procrastinate  a  catastro 
phe  that  was  now  unavoidable.  Returning  with  a 
heavy  heart  to  the  deck,  he  immediately  set  about 
those  dispositions  which  were  necessary  to  afford 
them  the  smallest  chance  of  escape. 

While  his  companions  deadened  the  sense  of  ap 
prehension  by  their  light  but  equally  necessary  em 
ployment,  Wilder  stepped  the  two  masts  of  the  boat, 
and  properly  disposed  of  the  sails,  and  those  other 
implements  that  might  be  useful  in  the  event  of  suc 
cess.  Thus  occupied,  a  couple  of  hours  flew  by,  as 
though  minutes  were  compressed  into  moments.  At 
the  expiration  of  that  period,  his  labour  had  ceased 


THE   RED   ROVER. 

He  then  cut  the  gripes  that  had  kept  the  launch  in 
its  place  when  the  ship  was  in  motion,  leaving  it 
standing  upright  on  its  wooden  beds,  hut  in  no  other 
manner  connected  with  the  hull,  which,  by  this  time, 
had  settled  so  low  as  to  create  the  apprehension, 
that,  at  any  moment,  it  might  sink  from  beneath 
them.  After  this  measure  of  precaution  was  taken, 
the  females  were  summoned  to  the  boat,  lest  the 
crisis  might  be  nearer  than  he  supposed  ;  for  he  well 
knew  that  a  foundering  ship  was,  like  a  tottering 
wall,  liable  at  any  moment  to  yield  to  the  impulse 
of  the  downward  pressure.  He  then  commenced 
the  scarcely  less  necessary  operation  of  selection 
among  the  chaos  of  articles  with  which  the  ill-direct 
ed  zeal  of  his  companions  had  so  cumbered  the 
boat,  that  there  was  hardly  room  left  in  which  they 
might  dispose  of  their  more  precious  persons.  Not 
withstanding  the  often  repeated  and  vociferous  re 
monstrances  of  the  negress,  boxes,  trunks,  and  pack 
ages  flew  from  either  side  of  the  launch,  as  though 
Wilder  had  no  consideration  for  the  comfort  and  care 
of  that  fair  being  in  whose  behalf  Cassandra,  un 
heeded,  like  her  ancient  namesake  of  Troy,  lifted 
her  voice  so  often  in  the  tones  of  remonstrance. 
The  boat  was  soon  cleared  of  what,  under  their  cir 
cumstances,  was  literally  lumber ;  leaving,  however, 
far  more  than  enough  to  meet  all  their  wants,  and 
not  a  few  of  their  comforts,  in  the  event  that  the 
elements  should  accord  the  permission  to  use  them. 
Then,  and  not  till  then,  did  Wilder  relax  in  his 
exertions.  He  had  arranged  his  sails,  ready  to  be 
hoisted  in  an  instant ;  he  had  carefully  examined  that 
no  straggling  rope  connected  the  boat  to  the  wreck, 
to  draw  them  under  with  the  foundering  mass  ;  and 
he  had  assured  himself  that  food,  water,  compass, 
and  the  imperfect  instruments  that  were  then  in  use 
to  ascertain  the  position  of  a  ship,  were  all  careful 
ly  disposed  of  in  their  several  places,  and  ready  to 


292  THE    RED    ROVER. 

his  hand.  When  all  was  in  this  state  of  preparation, 
he  disposed  of  himself  in  the  stern  of  the  boat,  and 
endeavoured,  hy  the  composure  of  his  manner,  to 
inspire  his  less  resolute  companions  with  a  portion  of 
his  own  firmness. 

The  bright  sun-shine  was  sleeping  in  a  thousand 
places  on  every  side  of  the  silent  and  deserted  wreck 
The  sea  had  subsided  to  such  a  state  of  utter  rest 
that  it  was  only  at  long  intervals  that  the  huge  and 
helpless  mass  on  which  the  ark  of  the  expectants  lay 
was  lifted  from  its  dull  quietude,  to  roll  heavily,  for 
a  moment,  in  the  washing  waters,  and  then  to  settle 
lower  into  the  greedy  and  absorbing  element.  Still 
the  disappearance  of  the  hull  was  slow,  and  even 
tedious,  to  those  who  looked  forward  with  such  im 
patience  to  its  total  immersion,  as  to  the  crisis  of 
their  own  fortunes. 

During  these  hours  of  weary  and  awful  suspense,, 
the  discourse,  between  the  watchers,  though  con 
ducted  in  tones  of  confidence,  and  often  of  tender 
ness,  was  broken  by  long  intervals  of  deep  and 
musing  silence.  Each  forbore  to  dwell  upon  the 
danger  of  their  situation,  in  consideration  of  the 
feelings  of  the  rest ;  but  neither  could  conceal  the 
imminent  risk  they  ran,  from  that  jealous  watchful 
ness  of  love  of  life  which  was  common  to  them  all. 
In  this  manner,  minutes,  hours,  and  the  day  itself, 
rolled  by,  and  the  darkness  was  seen  stealing  along 
the  deep,  gradually  narrowing  the  boundary  of  their 
view  towards  the  east,  until  the  whole  of  the  empty 
scene  was  limited  to  a  little  dusky  circle  around  the 
spot  on  which  they  lay.  To  this  change  succeeded 
another  fearful  hour,  during  which  it  appeared  that 
death  was  about  to  visit  them,  environed  by  its  most 
revolting  horrors.  The  heavy  plunge  of  the  wal 
lowing  whale,  as  he  cast  his  huge  form  upon  the 
surface  of  the  sea,  was  heard,  accompanied  by  the 
mimic  blowings  of  a  hundred  imitators,  that  followed 


THE    RED   ROVER.  293 

in  the  train  of  the  monarch  of  the  ocean.  It  ap 
peared,  to  the  alarmed  and  feverish  imagination  of 
Gertrude,  that  the  brine  was  giving  up  all  its  mon 
sters  ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  calm  assurances  of 
Wilder,  that  these  accustomed  sounds  were  rather 
the  harbingers  of  peace  than  signs  of  any  new  dan 
ger,  they  filled  her  mind  with  images  of  the  secret 
recesses  over  which  they  seemed  suspended  by  a 
thread,  and  painted  them  replete  with  the  disgusting 
inhabitants  of  the  caverns  of  the  great  deep.  The 
intelligent  seaman  himself  was  startled,  when  h( 
saw,  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  the  dark  fins  of  th< 
voracious  shark  stealing  around  the  wreck,  apprised 
by  his  instinct,  that  the  contents  of  the  devoted  ves 
sel  were  shortly  to  become  the  prey  of  his  tribe 
Then  came  the  moon,  with  its  mild  and  deceptiv< 
light,  to  throw  the  delusion  of  its  glow  on  the  vary 
ing  but  ever  frightful  scene. 

"  See,"  said  Wilder,  as  the  luminary  lifted  its  pale 
and  melancholy  orb  out  of  the  bed  of  the  ocean 
"  we  shall  have  light  for  our  hazardous  launch  !" 

"  Is  it  at  hand  ?"  demanded  Mrs  Wyllys,  with  all 
the  resolution  of  manner  she  could  assume  in  so  try 
ing  a  situation. 

"  It  is — the  ship  has  already  brought  her  scuppers 
to  the  water.  Sometimes  a  vessel  will  float  until 
saturated  with  the  brine.  If  ours  sink  at  all,  it  will 
be  soon." 

"  If  at  all  !  Is  there  then  hope  that  she  can  float  ?" 

"  None  !"  said  Wilder,  pausing  to  listen  to  the 
hollow  and  threatening  sounds  which  issued  from  the 
depths  of  the  vessel,  as  the  water  broke  through  her 
divisions,  in  passing  from  side  to  side,  and  which 
sounded  like  the  groaning  of  some  heavy  monster  in 
(he  last  agony  of  nature.  "  None  ;  she  is  already 
losing  her  level !" 

His  companions  saw  the  change  ;  but,  not  for  the 
empire  of  the  world,  could  either  of  them  have  ut- 
2B2 


294  THE    RED    ROVER. 

tered  a  syllable.  Another  low,  threatening,  rumbling 
sound  was  heard,  and  then  the  pent  air  beneath  blew 
up  the  forward  part  of  the  deck,  with  an  explosion 
like  that  of  a  gun. 

"  Now  grasp  the  ropes  I  have  given  you  !"  cried 
Wilder,  breathless  with  his  eagerness  to  speak. 

His  words  were  smothered  by  the  rushing  and 
gurgling  of  waters.  The  vessel  made  a  plunge  like 
a  dying  whale ;  and,  raising  its  stern  high  into  the 
air,  glided  into  the  depths  of  the  sea,  like  the  levia 
than  seeking  his  secret  places.  The  motionless 
boat  was  lifted  with  the  ship,  until  it  stood  in  an  at 
titude  fearfully  approaching  to  the  perpendicular. 
As  the  wreck  descended,  the  bows  of  the  launch 
met  the  element,  burying  themselves  nearly  to  fill 
ing  ;  but,  buoyant  and  light,  it  rose  again,  and,  struck 
powerfully  on  the  stern  by  the  settling  mass,  the  lit 
tle  ark  shot  ahead,  as  though  it  had  been  driven  by 
the  hand  of  man.  Still,  as  the  water  rushed  into  the 
vortex,  every  thing  within  its  influence  yielded  to 
the  suction  ;  and,  at  the  next  instant,  the  launch  was 
seen  darting  down  the  declivity,  as  if  eager  to  fol 
low  the  vast  machine,  of  which  it  had  so  long  form 
ed  a  dependant,  through  the  same  gaping  whirlpool, 
to  the  bottom.  Then  it  rose,  rocking,  to  the  sur 
face  ;  and,  for  a  moment,  was  tossed  and  whirled 
like  a  bubble  circling  in  the  eddies  of  a  pool.  Af 
ter  which,  the  ocean  moaned,  and  slept  again  ;  the 
moon-beams  playing  across  its  treacherous  bosom, 
sweetly  and  calm,  as  the  rays  are  seen  to  quiver  on 
a  lake  that  is  embedded  in  sheltering  mountains. 


THE   RED   ROVER.  295 


CHAPTER  XYIIL 

"  Every  day,  some  sailor's  wife, 

The  masters  of  some  merchant,  and  the  merchant, 
Have  just  our  theme  of  woe." — Tempest. 

"  WE  are  safe  !"  said  Wilder,  who  had  stood,  amid 
the  violence  of  the  struggle,  with  his  person  firmly 
braced  against  a  mast,  steadily  watching  the  manner 
of  their  escape,  "  Thus  far,  at  least,  are  we  safe ; 
for  which  may  Heaven  alone  he  praised,  since  no 
art  of  mine  could  avail  us  a  feather." 

The  females  had  buried  their  faces  in  the  folds  of 
the  vestments  and  clothes  on  which  they  were  sit 
ting  ;  nor  did  even  the  governess  raise  her  counte 
nance,  until  twice  assured  hy  her  companion  that  the 
imminency  of  the  risk  was  past.  Another  minute 
went  by,  during  which  Mrs  Wyllys  and  Gertrude 
were  rendering  their  thanksgivings,  in  a  manner  and 
in  words  less  equivocal  than  the  expression  which 
had  just  broken  from  the  lips  of  the  young  seaman. 
When  this  grateful  duty  was  performed,  they  stood 
erect,  as  if  emboldened,  by  the  offering,  to  look  theii 
situation  more  steadily  in  the  face. 

On  every  side  lay  the  seemingly  illimitable  waste 
of  waters.  To  them,  their  small  and  frail  tenement 
was  the  world.  So  long  as  the  ship,  sinking  and 
dangerous  as  she  was,  remained  beneath  them,  there 
had  appeared  to  be  a  barrier  between  their  existence 
and  the  ocean.  But  one  minute  had  deprived  them 
of  even  this  failing  support,  and  they  now  found 
themselves  cast  upon  the  sea  in  a  vessel  that  might 
be  likened  to  one  of  the  bubbles  of  the  element. 
Gertrude  felt,  at  that  instant,  as  though  she  would 
have  given  half  her  hopes  in  life  for  the  mere 
sight  of  that  vast  and  nearly  untenanted  Continent 


296  THE    RED    ROVLR. 

which  stretched  for  so  many  thousands  of  miles 
along  the  west,  and  kept  the  world  of  waters  to  their 
limits. 

But  the  rush  of  emotions  that  so  properly  belong 
ed  to  their  forlorn  condition  soon  subsided,  and 
their  thoughts  returned  to  the  study  of  the  means 
necessary  to  their  further  safety.  Wilder  had,  how 
ever,  anticipated  these  feelings ;  and,  even  before 
Mrs  Wyllys  and  Gertrude  had  recovered  their  re 
collections,  he  was  occupied,  aided  by  the  ready 
hands  of  the  terrified  but  loquacious  Cassandra,  in 
arranging  the  contents  of  the  boat  in  such  a  manner 
as  would  enable  her  to  move  through  the  element 
with  the  least  possible  resistance. 

"  With  a  well-trimmed  ship,  and  a  fair  breeze," 
cried  our  adventurer,  cheerfully,  so  soon  as  his  little 
job  was  ended,  "  we  may  yet  hope  to  reach  the  land 
in  one  day  and  another  night.  1  have  seen  the  hour 
when,  in  this  good  launch,  I  would  not  have  hesi 
tated  to  run  the  length  of  the  American  coast,  pro 
vided" 

"  You  have  forgotten  your  provided,"  said  Ger 
trude,  observing  that  he  hesitated,  probably  from  a 
reluctance  to  express  any  exception  to  the  opinion, 
which  might  increase  the  fears  of  his  companions. 

"  Provided  it  were  two  months  earlier  in  the  year," 
he  added,  in  a  tone  of  less  confidence. 

"  The  season  is,  then,  against  us  :  It  only  requires 
the  greater  resolution  in  ourselves  !" 

Wilder  turned  his  head  to  regard  the  fair  speaker, 
whose  pale  and  placid  countenance,  as  the  moor* 
silvered  her  fine  features,  expressed  any  thing  but 
the  courage  to  endure  the  hardships  he  so  well  knew 
she  was  liable  to  encounter,  before  they  might  hope 
to  gain  the  Continent.  After  musing  a  moment,  he 
lifted  his  open  hand  towards  the  south-west,  and 
held  its  palm  some  little  time  to  the  air  of  the  night. 

"  Any  thing  is  better  than  idleness,  for  people  in 


THE    RED    ROVER.  297 

our  condition,"  he  said.  "  There  are  some  symptoms 
of  the  breeze  coming  in  this  quarter ;  I  will  be  ready 
to  meet  it." 

He  then  spread  his  two  lug-sails ;  and,  trimming 
aft  the  sheets,  placed  himself  at  the  helm,  like  one 
who  expected  his  services  there  might  be  shortly 
needed.  The  result  did  not  disappoint  his  expecta 
tions.  Ere  long,  the  light  canvas  of  the  boat  began 
to  flutter ;  and  then,  as  he  brought  the  bows  in  the 
proper  direction,  the  little  vessel  commenced  moving 
slowly  along  its  blind  and  watery  path. 

The  wind  soon  came  fresher  upon  the  sails, 
heavily  charged  with  the  dampness  of  the  hour. 
Wilder  urged  the  latter  reason  as  a  motive  for  the 
females  to  seek  their  rest  beneath  a  little  canopy  of 
tarpaulings,  which  his  foresight  had  also  provided, 
and  on  mattresses  he  had  brought  from  the  ship. 
Perceiving  that  their  protector  wished  to  be  alone, 
Mrs  Wyllys  and  her  pupil  did  as  desired ;  and,  in  a 
few  minutes,  if  not  asleep,  no  one  could  have  told 
that  any  other  than  our  adventurer  had  possession  of 
the  solitary  launch. 

The  middle  hour  of  the  night  went  by,  without 
any  material  change  in  the  prospects  of  those  whose 
fate  so  much  depended  on  the  precarious  influence 
of  the  weather.  The  wind  had  freshened  to  a  smart 
breeze ;  and,  by  the  calculations  of  Wilder,  he  had 
already  moved  across  many  leagues  of  ocean,  direct 
ly  in  a  line  for  the  eastern  end  of  that  long  and  nar 
row  isle  that  separates  the  waters  which  wash  the 
shores  of  Connecticut  from  those  of  the  open  sea. 
The  minutes  flew  swiftly  by ;  for  the  time  was  pro 
pitious,  and  the  thoughts  of  the  young  seaman  were 
busy  with  the  recollections  of  a  short  but  adventur 
ous  life.  At  moments  be  leaned  forward,  as  if  he 
would  catch  the  gentle  respiration  of  one  who  slept 
beneath  the  dark  and  rude  canopy,  and  as  though 
he  might  distinguish  the  soft  breathings  of  her  slum- 


298  THE    RED    ROVER. 

bers  from  those  of  her  companions.  Then  would 
his  form  fall  back  into  its  seat,  and  his  lip  curl,  or 
even  move,  as  he  gave  inward  utterance  to  the  way 
ward  fancies  of  his  imagination.  But  at  no  time 
not  even  in  the  midst  of  his  greatest  abandonment  to 
reverie  and  thought,  did  he  forget  the  constant,  and 
nearly  instinctive,  duties  of  his  station.  A  rapid 
glance  at  the  heavens,  an  oblique  look  at  the  com 
pass,  and  an  occasional,  but  more  protracted,  exam 
ination  of  the  pale  face  of  the  melancholy  moon, 
were  the  usual  directions  taken  by  his  practised  eyes. 
The  latter  was  still  in  the  zenith ;  and  his  brow  be 
gan  again  to  contract,  as  he  saw  that  she  was  shining 
through  an  atmosphere  without  a  haze.  He  would 
have  liked  better  to  have  seen  even  those  portentous 
and  watery  circles  by  which  she  is  so  often  environ 
ed,  and  which  are  thought  to  foretel  the  tempest, 
than  the  hard  and  dry  medium  through  which  her 
beams  fell  so  clear  upon  the  face  of  the  waters. 
The  humidity  with  which  the  breeze  had  commenced 
was  also  gone  ;  and,  in  its  place,  the  quick,  sensitive 
organs  of  the  seaman  detected  the  often  grateful, 
though  at  that  moment  unwelcome,  taint  of  the  land. 
All  these  were  signs  that  the  airs  from  the  Continent 
were  about  to  prevail,  and  (as  he  dreaded,  from  cer 
tain  wild-looking,  long,  narrow  clouds,  that  were 
gathering  over  the  western  horizon)  to  prevail  with 
a  power  conformable  to  the  turbulent  season  of  the 
year. 

If  any  doubt  had  existed  in  the  mind  of  Wilder 
as  to  the  accuracy  of  his  prognostics,  it  would  have 
been  solved  about  the  commencement  of  the  morn 
ing  watch.  At  that  hour  the  inconstant  breeze  be 
gan  again  to  die ;  and,  even  before  its  last  breathing 
was  felt  upon  the  flapping  canvas,  it  was  met  by 
counter  currents  from  the  west.  Our  adventurer  saw 
at  once  that  the  struggle  was  now  truly  to  commence, 
and  he  made  his  dispositions  accoidingly.  The 


THE  RED  ROVER. 


299 


square  sheets  of  duck,  which  had  so  long  heen  ex 
posed  to  the  mild  airs  of  the  south,  were  reduced  to 
one  third  their  original  size,  by  double  reefs ;  and 
several  of  the  more  cumbrous  of  the  remaining  arti 
cles,  such  as  were  of  doubtful  use  to  persons  in  their 
situation,  were  cast,  without  pausing  to  hesitate,  into 
the  sea.  Nor  was  this  care  without  a  sufficient  ob 
ject  The  air  soon  came  sighing  heavily  over  the 
deep  from  the  north-west,  bringing  with  it  the  chill 
ing  asperity  of  the  inhospitable  regions  of  the  Can- 
adas. 

"  Ah !  well  do  I  know  you,"  muttered  Wilder,  as 
the  first  puff  of  this  unwelcome  wind  struck  his  sails, 
and  forced  the  little  boat  to  bend  to  its  power  in 
passing ;  u  well  do  I  know  you,  with  your  fresh-wa 
ter  flavour  and  your  smell  of  the  land  !  Would  to 
God  you  had  blown  your  fill  upon  the  lakes,  without 
coming  down  to  drive  many  a  weary  seaman  back 
upon  his  wake,  and  to  eke  out  a  voyage,  already  too 
long,  by  your  bitter  colds  and  steady  obstinacy  !" 

"  Do  you  speak  ?"  said  Gertrude,  half  appearing 
from  beneath  her  canopy,  and  then  shrinking  back, 
shivering,  into  its  cover  again,  as  she  felt  the  influ 
ence  in  the  change  of  air. 

"  Sleep,  Lady,  sleep,"  he  answered,  as  though  ht 
liked  not,  at  such  a  moment,  to  be  disturbed  by  even 
her  soft  and  silvery  voice. 

"  Is  there  new  danger  ?"  asked  the  maiden,  step 
ping  lightly  from  the  mattress,  as  if  she  would  no> 
disturb  the  repose  of  her  governess.  **  You  need  no» 
fear  to  tell  me  the  worst :  I  am  a  soldier's  child  !" 

He  pointed  to  the  signs  so  well  comprehended  b) 
himself,  but  continued  silent 

"  I  feel  that  the  wind  is  colder  than  it  was,"  she 
said,  u  but  I  see  no  other  change." 

"  And  do  you  know  whither  the  boat  is  going  ?" 

"  To  the  land,  I  think.  You  assured  us  of  that, 
and  I  do  not  believe  you  would  willingly  deceive." 


300  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  You  do  me  justice  ;  and,  as  a  proof  of  it,  I  will 
now  tell  you  that  you  are  mistaken.  I  know  that  to 
your  eyes  all  points  of  the  compass,  on  this  void, 
must  seem  the  same ;  but  I  cannot  thus  easily  de 
ceive  myself." 

"  And  we  are  not  sailing  for  our  homes  ?" 

"  So  far  from  it,  that,  should  this  course  continue 
we  must  cross  the  whole  Atlantic  before  your  eyes 
could  again  see  land." 

Gertrude  made  no  reply,  but  retired,  in  sorrow,  to 
the  side  of  her  governess.  In  the  mean  time,  Wil 
der,  again  left  to  himself,  began  to  consult  his  com 
pass  and  the  direction  of  the  wind.  Perceiving  that 
he  might  approach  nearer  to  the  continent  of  Amer 
ica  by  changing  the  position  of  the  boat,  he  wore 
round,  and  brought  its  head  as  nigh  up  to  the  south 
west  as  the  wind  would  permit. 

But  there  was  little  hope  in  this  trifling  change. 
At  each  minute,  the  power  of  the  breeze  was  in 
creasing,  until  it  soon  freshened  to  a  degree  that 
compelled  him  to  furl  his  after-sail.  The  slumbering 
ocean  was  not  long  in  awakening ;  and,  by  the  time 
the  launch  was  snug  under  a  close-reefed  fore-sail, 
the  boat  was  rising  on  dark  and  ever-growing  waves, 
or  sinking  into  the  momentary  calm  of  deep  furrows, 
whence  it  rose  again,  to  feel  the  rapidly  increasing 
power  of  the  blasts.  The  dashing  of  the  waters, 
and  the  rushing  of  the  wind,  which  now  began  to 
sweep  heavily  across  the  blue  waste,  quickly  drew 
the  females  to  the  side  of  our  adventurer.  To  their 
hurried  and  anxious  questions  he  made  considerate 
but  brief  replies,  like  a  man  who  felt  that  the  tkne 
was  far  better  suited  to  action  than  to  words 

In  this  manner  the  last  lingering  minutes  of  the 
night  went  by,  loaded  with  a  care  that  each  moment 
rendered  heavier,  and  which  each  successive  fresh 
ening  of  the  breeze  had  a  tendency  to  render  doubly 
anxious.  The  day  came,  only  to  bestow  more  dis 


THE  RED  ROVER.  301 

tinctness  on  the  cheerless  prospect.  The  waves 
were  looking  green  and  angrily,  while,  here  and 
there,  large  crests  of  foam  were  beginning  to  break 
on  their  summits — the  certain  evidence  that  a  con 
flict  betwixt  the  elements  was  at  hand.  Then  came 
the  sun  over  the  ragged  margin  of  the  eastern  horizon, 
climbing  slowly  into  the  blue  arch  above,  which  lay 
clear,  chilling,  distinct,  and  entirely  without  a  cloud. 

Wilder  noted  all  these  changes  of  the  hour  with  a 
closeness  that  proved  how  critical  he  deemed  their 
case.  He  seemed  rather  to  consult  the  signs  of  the 
heavens  than  to  regard  the  tossings  and  rushings  of 
the  water,  which  dashed  against  the  side  of  his  little 
vessel  in  a  manner  that,  to  the  eyes  of  his  compan 
ions,  often  appeared  to  threaten  their  total  destruc 
tion.  To  the  latter  he  was  too  much  accustomed, 
to  anticipate  the  true  moment  of  alarm,  though  to 
less  instructed  senses  it  might  already  seem  so  dan 
gerous.  It  was  to  him  as  is  the  thunder,  when  com 
pared  to  the  lightning,  in  the  mind  of  the  philoso 
pher  ;  or  rather  he  knew,  that,  if  harm  might  come 
from  the  one  on  which  he  floated,  its  ability  to  in 
jure  must  first  be  called  into  action  by  the  power  of 
the  sister  element. 

"  What  think  you  of  our  case  now  ?"  asked  Mrs 
Wyllys,  keeping  her  look  closely  fastened  on  his 
countenance,  as  if  she  would  rather  trust  its  expres 
sion,  than  even  to  his  words  for  the  answer. 

"  So  long  as  the  wind  continues  thus,  we  may  yet 
hope  to  keep  within  the  route  of  ships  to  and  from 
the  great  northern  ports  ;  but,  if  it  freshen  to  a  gale, 
and  the  sea  begin  to  break  with  violence,  I  doubt  the 
ability  of  this  boat  to  lie-to." 

"  Then  our  resource  must  be  in  endeavouring  to 
im  before  the  gale." 

"  Then  must  we  scud." 

"  What  would  be  our  direction,  in  such  an  event  ?" 
demanded  Gertrude,  to  whose  mind,  in  the  aeita- 
2C 


302  THE    RED    ROVER. 

tion  of  the  ocean  and  the  naked  view  on  every  hand, 
all  idea  of  places  and  distances  was  lost,  in  the  most 
inextricable  confusion. 

"  In  such  an  event,"  returned  our  adventurer,  re 
garding  her  with  a  look  in  which  commiseration 
and  indefinite  concern  were  so  singularly  mingled, 
that  her  own  mild  gaze  was  changed  into  a  timid  and 
furtive  -glance,  "  in  such  an  event,  we  should  be 
leaving  that  land  it  is  so  important  to  reach." 

"  What  'em  'ere  ?"  cried  Cassandra,  whose  large 
dark  eyes  were  rolling  on  every  side  of  her,  with  a" 
curiosity  that  no  care  or  sense  of  danger  could  ex 
tinguish  ;  "  'em  berry  big  fish  on  a  water?" 

44  It  is  a  boat !"  cried  Wilder,  springing  upon  a 
thwart,  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  a  dark  object  that  was 
driving  on  the  glittering  crest  of  a  wave,  within  a 
hundred  feet  of  the  spot  where  the  launch  itself  was 
struggling  through  the  brine.  44  What  ho  ! — boat, 
ahoy !— holloa  there  ! — boat,  ahoy  !" 

The  deep  breathing  of  the  wind  swept  by  them, 
but  no  human  sound  responded  to  his  shout.  They 
had  already  fallen,  between  two  seas,  into  a  deep 
vale  of  water,  where  the  narrow  view  extended  no 
farther  than  the  dark  and  rolling  barriers  on  either 
side. 

"  Merciful  Providence  !"  exclaimed  the  governess, 
"can  there  be  others  as  unhappy  as  ourselves!" 

44  It  was  a  boat,  or  my  sight  is  not  true  as  usual," 
returned  Wilder,  still  keeping  his  stand,  to  watch 
the  moment  when  he  might  catch  another  view.  Hi? 
wish  was  quickly  realized.  He  had  trusted  the  helm, 
for  the  moment,  to  the  hands  of  Cassandra,  who  suf 
fered  the  launch  to  vary  a  little  from  its  course.  The 
words  were  still  on  his  lips,  when  the  same  black 
object  came  sweeping  down  the  wave  to  windward, 
and  a  pinnace,  bottom  upwards,  washed  past  them 
in  the  trough.  Then  followed  a  shriek  from  the 
Degress,  who  abandoned  the  tiller,  and,  sinking  on 


THE    RED    ROVER.  303 

her  knees,  hid  her  face  in  her  hands.  Wilder  in 
stinctively  caught  the  helm,  as  he  bent  his  face  in 
the  direction  whence  the  revolting  eye  of  Cassandra 
had  been  turned.  A  grim  human  form'  was  seen, 
erect,  and  half  exposed,  advancing  in  the  midst  of 
the  broken  crest  which  was  still  covering  the  dark 
declivity  to  windward  with  foam.  For  a  moment, 
it  stood  with  the  brine  dripping  from  the  drenched 
locks,  like  some  being  that  had  issued  from  the  deep 
to  turn  its  frightful  features  on  the  spectators  ;  and 
then  the  lifeless  body  of  a  drowned  man  drove  past 
the  launch,  which,  at  the  next  minute,  rose  to  the 
summit  of  the  wave,  to  sink  into  another  vale  where 
no  such  terrifying  object  floated. 

Not  only  Wilder,  but  Gertrude  and  Mrs  Wyllys, 
had  seen  this  startling  spectacle  so  nigh  them  as  to 
recognize  the  countenance  of  Nighthead,  rendered 
still  more  stern  and  forbidding  than  ever,  in  the  im 
pression  left  by  death.  But  neither  spoke,  nor  gave 
any  other  evidence  of  their  intelligence.  Wilder 
hoped  that  his  companions  had  at  least  escaped  the 
shock  of  recognizing  the  victim ;  and  the  females 
themselves  saw,  in  the  hapless  fortune  of  the  muti 
neer,  too  much  of  their  own  probable  though  more 
protracted  fate,  to  be  able  to  give  vent  to  the  horror 
each  felt  so  deeply,  in  words.  For  some  time,  the 
elements  alone  were  heard  sighing  a  sort  of  hoarse 
requiem  over  the  victims  of  their  conflict. 

"  The  pinnace  has  filled !"  Wilder  at  length  ob 
served,  when  he  saw,  by  the  pallid  features  and 
meaning  eyes  of  his  companions,  it  was  in  vain  to 
affect  reserve  on  the  subject  any  longer.  "  Their 
boat  was  frail,  and  loaded  to  the  water's  edge." 

"  Think  you  all  are  lost?"  observed  Mrs  Wyllys, 
in  a  voice  that  scarcely  amounted  to  a  whisper. 

"  There  is  no  hope  for  any  !  Gladly  would  I  part 
with  an  arm,  for  the  assistance  of  the  poorest  of 
those  misguided  seamen,  who  have  hurried  on  theii 


304  THE    RED    ROVER. 

evil  fortune  by  their  own  disobedience  and  igno 
rance." 

"  And,  of  all  the  happy  and  thoughtless  human 
oeings  who  lately  left  the  harbour  of  Newport,  in  a 
vessel  that  has  so  long  been  the  boast  of  mariners, 
we  alone  remain !" 

"  There  is  not  another :  This  boat,  and  its  con 
tents,  are  the  sole  memorials  of  the  4  Royal  Caro 
line  !'  " 

"  It  was  not  within  the  ken  of  human  knowledge 
to  foresee  this  evil,"  continued  the  governess,  fast 
ening  her  eye  on  the  countenance  of  Wilder,  as 
though  she  would  ask  a  question  which  conscience 
told  her,  at  the  same  time,  betrayed  a  portion  of  that 
very  superstition  which  had  hastened  the  fate  of  the 
rude  being  they  had  so  lately  passed. 

"  It  was  not." 

"  And  the  danger,  to  which  you  so  often  and  so  in 
explicably  alluded,  had  no  reference  to  this  we  have 
incurred  ?" 

"  It  had  not.' 

"  It  has  gone,  with  the  change  in  our  situation  ?" 

"  I  hope  it  has." 

"  See !"  interrupted  Gertrude,  laying  a  hand,  in 
her  haste,  on  the  arm  of  Wilder.  "  Heaven  be 
praised !  yonder  is  something  at  last  to  relieve  thr; 
view." 

"  It  is  a  ship  !"  exclaimed  her  governess  ;  but,  an 
envious  wave  lifting  its  green  side  between  them  and 
the  object,  they  sunk  into  a  trough,  as  though  the 
vision  had  been  placed  momentarily  before  their 
eyes,  merely  to  taunt  them  with  its  image.  The 
quick  glance  of  Wilder  had  caught,  however,  a 
glimpse  of  the  tracery  against  the  heavens,  as  they 
descended.  When  the  boat  rose  again,  his  look  was 
properly  directed,  and  he  was  enabled  to  be  certain 
of  the  reality  of  the  vessel.  Wave  succeeded  wave, 
and  moments  followed  moments,  during  which  the 


THE    REfr   ROVER.  305 

stranger  was  given  to  their  gaze,  and  as  often  disap 
peared,  as  the  launch  unavoidably  fell  into  the  troughs 
of  the  seas.  These  short  and  hasty  glimpses  sufficed, 
however,  to  convey  all  that  was  necessary  to  the 
eye  of  a  man  who  had  been  nurtured  on  that  ele 
ment,  where  circumstances  now  exacted  of  him 
such  constant  and  unequivocal  evidences  of  his  skill. 

At  the  distance  of  a  mile,  there  was  in  fact  a  ship 
to  be  seen,  rolling  and  pitching  gracefully,  and  with 
out  any  apparent  effort,  on  those  waves  through 
which  the  launch  was  struggling  with  such  difficulty. 
A  solitary  sail  was  set,  to  steady  the  vessel,  and  that 
so  reduced,  by  reefs,  as  to  look  like  a  little  snowy 
cloud  amid  the  dark  maze  of  rigging  and  spars.  At 
times,  her  long  and  tapering  masts  appeared  pointing 
to  the  zenith,  or  even  rolling  as  if  inclining  against 
the  wind ;  and  then,  again,  with  slow  and  graceful 
sweeps,  they  seemed  to  fall  towards  the  ruffled  sur 
face  of  the  ocean,  as  though  about  to  seek  refuge 
from  their  endless  motion,  in  the  bosom  of  the  agi 
tated  element  itself.  There  were  moments  when 
the  long,  low,  and  black  hull  was  seen  distinctly 
resting  on  the  summit  of  a  sea,  and  glittering  in  the 
sun-beams,  as  the  water  washed  from  her  sides  ;  and 
then,  as  boat  and  vessel  sunk  together,  all  was  lost  to 
the  eye,  even  to  the  attenuated  lines  of  her  tallest  and 
most  delicate  spars. 

Both  Mrs  Wyllys  and  Gertrude  bowed  their  faces 
to  their  knees,  when  assured  of  the  truth  of  their 
hopes,  and  poured  out  their  gratitude  in  silent  and 
secret  thanksgivings.  The  joy  of  Cassandra  was 
more  clamorous,  and  less  restrained.  The  simple 
negress  laughed,  shed  tears,  and  exulted  in  the  most 
touching  manner,  on  the  prospect  that  was  now  of 
fered  for  the  escape  of  her  young  mistress  and  her 
self  from  a  death  that  the  recent  sight  had  set  before 
her  imagination  in  the  most  frightful  form.  But  no 
answering  look  of  congratulation  was  to  be  traced 
2C2 


306  m.  THE    RED    ROVER. 

in  the  contracting  and  anxious  eye  of  their  com 
panion. 

"  Now,"  said  Mrs  Wyllys,  seizing  his  hand  in  both 
her  own,  "  may  we  hope  to  be  delivered  ;  and  then 
shall  we  be  allowed,  brave  and  excellent  young  man, 
some  opportunity  of  proving  to  you  how  highly  we 
esteem  your  services." 

Wilder  permitted  the  burst  of  her  feelings  with  a 
species  of  bewildered  care,  but  he  neither  spoke, 
nor  in  any  other  manner  exhibited  the  smallest  sym 
pathy  in  her  joy. 

"  Surely  you  are  not  grieved,  Mr  Wilder,"  added 
the  wondering  Gertrude, "  that  the  prospect  of  escape 
from  these  awful  waves  is  at  length  so  mercifully 
held  forth  to  us  !" 

"  I  would  gladly  die  to  shelter  you  from  harm,' 
returned  the  young  sailor ;  "  but" — 

"  This  is  not  a  time  for  any  thing  but  gratitude  and 
rejoicing,"  interrupted  the  governess ;  "  I  cannot 
hearken  to  any  cold  exceptions  now;  what  mean 
you  with  that  *  but  V  " 

"  It  may  be  not  so  easy  as  you  think  to  reach  yon 
ship — the  gale  may  prevent — in  short,  many  is  the 
vessel  that  is  seen  at  sea  which  cannot  be  spoken." 

"  Happily,  such  is  not  our  cruel  fortune.  I  under 
stand,  considerate  and  generous  youth,  your  wish  to 
dampen  hopes  that  may  possibly  be  yet  thwarted ; 
but  I  have  too  long,  and  too  often,  trusted  this  dan 
gerous  element,  not  to  know  that  he  who  has  the 
wind  can  speak,  or  not,  as  he  pleases." 

"  You  are  right  in  saying  we  are  to  windward, 
Madam ;  and,  were  I  in  a  ship,  nothing  would  be 
easier  than  to  run  within  hail  of  the  stranger. — That 
ship  is  certainly  lying-to,  and  yet  the  gale  is  not 
fresh  enough  to  bring  so  stout  a  vessel  to  so  short 
canvas." 

"  They  see  us,  then,  and  await  our  arrival." 

*  No,  no  :  Thank  God,  we  are  not  yet  seen !  This 


THE    RED    ROVER.  307 

little  rag  of  ours  is  blended  with  the  spray.  They 
take  it  for  a  gull,  or  a  comb  of  the  sea,  for  the  mo 
ment  it  is  in  view." 

"  And  do  you  thank  Heaven  for  this  !"  exclaimed 
Gertrude,  regarding  the  anxious  Wilder  with  a  won 
der  that  her  more  cautious  governess  had  the  power 
to  restrain. 

"  Did  I  thank  Heaven  for  not  being  seen  !  I  may 
have  mistaken  the  object  of  my  thanks :  It  is  an 
armed  ship  !" 

"  Perhaps  a  cruiser  of  the  King's !  We  are  the 
more  likely  to  meet  with  a  welcome  reception  !  De 
lay  not  to  hoist  some  signal,  lest  they  increase  their 
sail,  and  leave  us." 

"  You  forget  that  the  enemy  is  often  found  upon 
our  coast.  This  might  prove  a  Frenchman  !" 

"  I  have  no  fears  of  a  generous  enemy.  Even  a 
pirate  would  give  shelter,  and  welcome,  to  females 
in  such  distress." 

A  long  and  profound  silence  succeeded.  Wilder 
still  stood  upon  the  thwart,  straining  his  eyes  to  read 
each  sign  that  a  seaman  understands ;  nor  did  he  ap 
pear  to  find  much  pleasure  in  the  task. 

u  We  will  drift  ahead,"  he  said,  "  and,  as  the  ship 
is  lying  on  a  different  tack,  we  may  yet  gain  a  posi 
tion  that  will  leave  us  masters  of  our  future  move 
ments." 

To  this  his  companions  knew  not  well  how  to 
make  any  objections.  Mrs  Wyllys  was  so  much 
struck  with  the  remarkable  air  of  coldness  with 
which  he  met  this  prospect  of  refuge  against  the  for 
lorn  condition  in  which  he  had  just  before  confessed 
they  were  placed,  that  she  was  much  more  disposed 
to  ponder  on  the  cause,  than  to  trouble  him  with 
questions  which  she  had  the  discernment  to  see 
would  be  useless.  Gertrude  wondered,  while  she 
was  disposed  to  think  he  might  be  right,  though  she 
knew  not  why.  Cassandra  alone  was  rebellious 


308  THE    RED    ROVER. 

She  lifted  her  voice  in  loud  objections  against  a  mo 
ment's  delay,  assuring  the  abstracted  and  perfectly  in 
attentive  young  seaman,  that,  should  any  evil  come  to 
her  young  mistress  by  his  obstinacy,  General  Grayson 
would  be  angered  ;  and  then  she  left  him  to  reflect 
on  the  results  of  a  displeasure  that  to  her  simple 
mind  teemed  with  all  the  danger  that  could  attend 
the  anger  of  a  monarch.  Provoked  by  his  contuma 
cious  disregard  of  her  remonstrances,  the  negress, 
forgetting  all  her  respect,  in  blindness  in  behalf  of 
her  whom  she  not  only  loved,  but  had  been  taught 
to  reverence,  seized  the  boat-hook,  and,  unperceiv- 
ed  by  Wilder,  fastened  to  it,  with  dexterity,  one  of 
the  linen  cloths  that  had  been  brought  from  the 
wreck,  and  exposed  it,  far  above  the  diminished  sail, 
for  a  couple  of  minutes,  ere  her  device  had  caught 
the  eyes  of  either  of  her  companions.  Then,  in 
deed,  she  lowered  the  signal,  in  haste,  before  the 
dark  and  frowning  look  of  Wilder.  But,  short  as 
was  the  triumph  of  the  negress,  it  was  crowned  with 
complete  success. 

The  restrained  silence,  which  is  so  apt  to  succeed 
a  sudden  burst  of  displeasure,  was  still  reigning  in 
the  boat,  when  a  cloud  of  smoke  broke  out  of  the 
side  of  the  ship,  as  she  lay  on  the  summit  of  a 
wave  ;  and  then  came  the  deadened  roar  of  artillery 
struggling  heavily  up  against  the  wind. 

"  It  is  now  too  late  to  hesitate,"  said  Mrs  Wyllys; 
"  we  are  seen,  let  the  stranger  be  friend  or  enemy." 

Wilder  did  not  answer,  but  continued  to  profit, 
by  each  opportunity,  to  watch  the  movements  of  the 
stranger.  In  another  moment,  the  spars  were  seen 
receding  from  the  breeze,  and,  in  a  couple  of  minutes 
more,  the  head  of  the  ship  was  changed  to  the  di 
rection  in  which  they  lay.  Then  appeared  four  or 
five  broader  sheets  of  canvas  in  different  parts  of  the 
complicated  machinery,  while  the  vessel  bowed  to 
the  gale,  as  though  she  inclined  still  lower  before  its 


THE    RED    ROVER.  309 

power.  At  moments,  as  she  mounted  on  a  sea,  her 
bows  seemed  issuing  from  the  element  altogether, 
and  high  jets  of  spray  were  cast  into  the  air,  glitter 
ing  in  the  sun,  as  the  white  particles  scattered  in 
the  breeze,  or  fell  in  gems  upon  the  sails  and  rigging. 
"It  is  now  too  late,  indeed;"  murmured  our  adven 
turer,  bearing  up  the  helm  of  his  own  little  craft, 
and  letting  its  sheet  glide  through  his  hands,  until 
the  sail  was  bagging  with  the  breeze  nearly  to  burst 
ing.  The  boat,  which  had  so  long  been  labouring 
through  the  water,  with  a  wish  to  cling  as  nigh  a? 
possible  to  the  Continent,  flew  over  the  seas,  leaving 
a  long  trail  of  foam  behind  it ;  and,  before  either  of 
the  females  had  regained  their  entire  self-possession, 
she  was  floating  in  the  comparative  calm  that  was 
created  by  the  hull  of  a  large  vessel.  A  light  active 
form  stood  in  the  rigging  of  the  ship,  issuing  the  ne 
cessary  orders  to  a  hundred  seamen ;  and,  in  the 
midst  of  the  confusion  and  alarm  that  such  a  scene 
was  likely  to  cause  in  the  bosom  of  woman,  Ger 
trude  and  Mrs  Wyllys,  with  their  two  companions, 
were  transferred  in  safety  to  the  decks  of  the  stran 
ger.  The  moment  they  and  their  effects  were  se 
cured,  the  launch  was  cut  adrift,  like  useless  lumber. 
Twenty  mariners  were  then  seen  climbing  among  the 
topes ;  and  sail  after  sail  was  opened  still  wider,  un 
til,  bearing  the  vast  folds  of  all  her  canvas  spread,  the 
vessel  was  urged  along  the  trackless  course,  like  a 
swift  cloud  drifting  through  the  thin  medium  of  the 
upper  air. 


310  THE  RED  ROVER. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

"  Now  let  it  work :  Mischief,  thou  art  afoot, 
Take  then  what  course  thou  wilt  l^—Shakspeart. 

WHEN  the  velocity  with  which  the  vessel  flew  be 
fore  the  wind  is  properly  considered,  the  reader 
will  not  be  surprised  to  learn,  that,  with  the  change 
of  a  week  in  the  time  from  that  with  which  the 
foregoing  incidents  close,  we  are  enabled  to  open 
the  scene  of  the  present  chapter  in  a  very  different 
quarter  of  the  same  sea.  It  is  unnecessary  to  follow 
the  "  Rover"  in  the  windings  of  that  devious  and 
apparently  often  uncertain  course,  during  which  his 
keel  furrowed  more  than  a  thousand  miles  of  ocean, 
and  during  which  more  than  one  cruiser  of  the  King 
was  skilfully  eluded,  and  sundry  less  dangerous  ren 
counters  avoided,  as  much  from  inclination  as  any 
other  visible  cause.  It  is  quite  sufficient  for  our 
purpose  to  lift  the  curtain,  which  must  conceal  her 
movements  for  a  time,  to  expose  the  gallant  vessel  in 
a  milder  climate,  and,  when  the  season  of  the  year  is 
considered,  in  a  more  propitious  sea. 

Exactly  seven  days  after  Gertrude  and  her  gov 
erness  became  the  inmates  of  a  ship  whose  character 
it  is  no  longer  necessary  to  conceal  from  the  reader, 
the  sun  rose  upon  her  flapping  sails,  symmetrical 
spars,  and  dark  hull,  within  sight  of  a  few,  low, 
small  and  rocky  islands.  The  colour  of  the  element 
would  have  told  a  seaman,  had  no  mound  of  blue 
land  been  seen  issuing  out  of  the  world  of  waters, 
that  the  bottom  of  the  sea  was  approaching  nigher 
than  common  to  its  surface,  and  that  it  was  necessa 
ry  to  guard  against  the  well-known  and  dreaded 
dangers  of  the  coast.  Wind  there  was  none ;  for 
the  vacillating  and  uncertain  air  which,  from  time  to 


THE    RED    ROVER.  311 

hme,  distended  for  an  instant  the  lighter  canvas  of 
the  vessel,  deserved  to  be  merely  termed  the  breath 
ings  of  a  morning,  which  was  breaking  upon  the 
main,  soft,  mild,  and  seemingly  so  bland  as  to  im 
part  to  the  ocean  the  placid  character  of  a  sleeping 
lake. 

Every  thing  having  life  in  the  ship  was  already  up 
and  stirring.  Fifty  stout  and  healthy-looking  seamen 
were  hanging  in  different  parts  of  her  rigging,  some 
laughing,  and  holding  low  converse  with  messmates 
who  lay  indolently  on  the  neighbouring  spars,  and 
others  leisurely  performing  the  light  and  trivial  duty 
that  was  the  ostensible  employment  of  the  moment. 
More  than  as  many  others  loitered  carelessly  about 
the  decks  below,  somewhat  similarly  engaged ;  the 
whole  wearing  much  the  appearance  of  men  who 
were  set  to  perform  certain  immaterial  tasks,  more 
to  escape  the  imputation  of  idleness  than  from  any 
actual  necessity  that  the  same  should  be  executed. 
The  quarter-deck,  the  hallowed  spot  of  every  vessel 
that  may  pretend  to  either  discipline  or  its  semblance, 
was  differently  occupied,  though  by  a  set  of  beings 
who  could  lay  no  greater  claim  to  activity  or  interest. 
In  short,  the  vessel  partook  of  the  character  of  the 
ocean  and  of  the  weather,  both  of  which  seemed 
reserving  their  powers  to  some  more  suitable  occa 
sion  for  their  display. 

Three  or  four  young  (and,  considering  the  nature 
of  their  service,  far  from  unpleasant-looking)  men 
appeared  in  a  sort  of  undress  nautical  uniform,  in 
which  the  fashion  of  no  people  in  particular  was 
very  studiously  consulted.  Notwithstanding  the  ap 
parent  calm  that  reigned  on  all  around  them,  each 
of  these  individuals  bore  a  short  straight  dirk  at  his 
girdle ;  and,  as  one  of  them  bent  over  the  side  of 
the  vessel,  the  handle  of  a  little  pistol  was  discover 
ed  through  an  opening  in  the  folds  of  his  professional 
frock.  There  were,  however,  no  other  immediate 


312  ?HE    RED    ROVER. 

signs  of  distrust,  whence  an  observer  might  infer 
that  this  armed  precaution  was  more  than  the  usual 
custom  of  the  vessel.  A  couple  of  grim  and  callous 
looking  sentinels,  who  were  attired  and  accoutred 
like  soldiers  of  the  land,  and  who,  contrary  to  marine 
usage,  were  posted  on  the  line  which  separated  the 
resorting  place  of  the  officers  from  the  forward  part 
of  the  deck,  bespoke  additional  caution.  But,  still, 
all  these  arrangements  were  regarded  by  the  seamen 
with  incurious  eyes — a  certain  proof  that  use  had 
long  rendered  them  familiar. 

The  individual  who  has  been  introduced  to  the 
reader  under  the  high-sounding  title  of  "  General," 
stood  upright  and  rigid  as  one  of  the  masts  of  the 
ship,  studying,  with  a  critical  eye,  the  equipments  of 
his  two  mercenaries,  and  apparently  as  regardless  of 
what  was  passing  around  him  as  though  he  literally 
considered  himself  a  fixture  in  the  vessel.  One  form, 
however,  was  to  be  distinguished  from  all  around  it. 
by  the.  dignity  of  its  mien  and  the  air  of  authority 
that  breathed  even  in  the  repose  of  its  attitude.  It 
was  the  Rover,  who  stood  alone,  none  presuming  to 
approach  the  spot  where  he  had  chosen  to  plant  his 
light  but  graceful  and  imposing  person.  There  was 
ever  an  expression  of  stern  investigation  in  his  quick 
wandering  eye,  as  it  roved  from  object  to  object  in 
the  equipment  of  the  vessel ;  and  at  moments,  as  his 
look  appeared  fastened  on  some  one  of  the  light 
fleecy  clouds  that  floated  in  the  blue  vacuum  above 
him,  there  gathered  about  his  brow  a  gloom  like  that 
which  is  thought  to  be  the  shadowing  of  intense 
thought.  Indeed,  so  dark  and  threatening  did  this 
lowering  of  the  eye  become,  at  times,  that  the  fair 
hair  which  broke  out  in  ringlets  from  beneath  a  black 
velvet  sea-cap,  from  whose  top  depended  a  tassel  ol 
gold,  could  no  longer  impart  to  his  countenance  the 
gentleness  which  it  sometimes  was  seen  to  express. 
4s  though  he  disdained  concealment,  and  wished  to 


THE    RED   ROVER.  313 

announce  the  nature  of  the  power  he  wielded,  he 
wore  his  pistols  openly  in  a  leathern  belt,  that  was 
made  to  cross  a  frock  of  blue,  delicately  edged  with 
gold,  and  through  which  he  had  thrust,  with  the  same 
disregard  of  concealment,  a  light  and  curved  Turk 
ish  yattagan,  with  a  straight  stiletto,  which,  by  the 
chasings  of  its  handle,  had  probably  originally  come 
from  the  manufactory  of  some  Italian  artisan. 

On  the  deck  of  the  poop,  overlooking  the  rest 
and  retired  from  the  crowd  beneath  them,  stood  Mrs 
Wyllys  and  her  charge,  neither  of  whom  announced 
in  the  slightest  degree,  by  eye  or  air,  that  anxiety 
which  might  readily  be  supposed  natural  to  females 
who  found  themselves  in  a  condition  so  critical  as  in 
the  company  of  lawless  freebooters.  On  the  con 
trary,  while  the  former  pointed  out  to  the  latter  the 
hillock  of  pale  blue  which  rose  from  the  water,  like 
a  dark  and  strongly  denned  cloud  in  the  distance, 
hope  was  strongly  blended  with  the  ordinarily  placid 
expression  of  her  features.  She  also  called  to  Wil 
der,  in  a  cheerful  voice;  and  the  youth,  who  had 
long  been  standing,  with  a  sort  of  jealous  watchful 
ness,  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder  which  led  from  the 
quarter-deck,  was  at  her  side  in  an  instant. 

"  I  am  telling  Gertrude,"  said  the  governess,  with 
those  tones  of  confidence  which  had  been  created 
by  the  dangers  they  had  incurred  together,  "  that 
yonder  is  her  home,  and  that,  when  the  breeze  shal 
be  felt,  we  may  speedily  hope  to  reach  it ;  but  the 
wilfully  timid  girl  insists  that  she  cannot  believe  her 
senses,  after  the  frightful  risks  we  have  run,  until,  at 
least,  she  shall  see  the  dwelling  of  her  childhood, 
and  the  face  of  her  father.  You  have  often  been  on 
this  coast  before,  Mr  Wilder  ?" 

"  Often,  Madam." 

"  Then,  you  can  tell  us  what  is  the  distant  land  we 
see." 

2D 


314 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


"  Land !"  repeated  our  adventurer,  affecting  a  look 
of  surprise ;  "  i»  there  then  land  in  view  ?" 

"  Is  there  land  in  view !  Have  not  hours  gone  by 
since  the  same  was  proclaimed  from  the  masts  ?" 

"  It  may  be  so :  We  seamen  are  dull  after  a  nigh! 
of  watching,  and  often  hear  but  little  of  that  which 
passes." 

There  was  a  quick,  suspicious  glance  from  the 
eye  of  the  governess,  as  if  she  apprehended,  she 
knew  not  what,  ere  she  continued, — 

"  Has  the  sight  of  the  cheerful,  blessed  soil  of 
America  so  soon  lost  its  charm  in  your  eye,  that  you 
approach  it  with  an  air  so  heedless  ?  The  infatua 
tion  of  men  of  your  profession,  in  favour  of  so  dan 
gerous  and  so  treacherous  an  element,  is  an  enigma 
I  never  could  explain." 

"  Do  seamen,  then,  love  their  calling  With  so  de 
voted  an  affection  ?"  demanded  Gertrude,  in  a  haste 
that  she  might  have  found  embarrassing  to  explain. 

"  It  is  a  folly  of  which  we  are  often  accused,"  re 
joined  Wilder,  turning  his  eye  on  the  speaker,  and 
smiling  in  a  manner  that  had  lost  every  shade  of  re 
serve. 

"And  justly?" 

"  I  fear,  justly." 

"  Ay  !"  exclaimed  Mrs  Wyllys,  with  an  emphasis 
that  was  remarkable  for  the  tone  of  soft  and  yet  bitter 
regret  with  which  it  was  uttered ;  "  often  better 
than  their  quiet  and  peaceful  homes  !" 

Gertrude  pursued  the  idea  no  further;  but  he? 
fine  full  eye  fell  upon  the  deck,  as  though  she  reflect 
ed  deeply  on  a  perversity  of  taste  which  could  ren 
der  man  so  insensible  to  domestic  pleasures,  and  in 
cline  him  to  court  the  wild  dangers  of  the  ocean. 

"  I,  at  least,  am  free  from  the  latter  charge,"  ex 
claimed  Wilder :  ^  To  me  a  ship  has  always  been  a 
home." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  315 

w  And  much  of  my  life,  too,  has  been  wasted  in 
one,"  continued  the  governess,  who  evidently  was 
pursuing,  in  the  recesses  of  her  own  mind,  some 
images  of  a  time  long  past.  "  Happy  and  miserable 
alike,  have  been  the  hours  that  I  have  passed  upon 
the  sea  !  Nor  is  this  the  first  King's  ship  in  which  it 
has  been  my  fortune  to  be  thrown.  And  yet  the 
customs  seem  changed  since  those  days  I  mention  t 
or  else  memory  is  beginning  to  lose  some  of  the 
impressions  of  an  age  when  memory  is  apt  to  be 
most  tenacious.  Is  it  usual,  Mr  Wilder,  to  admit  an 
utter  stranger,  like  yourself,  to  exercise  authority  in 
a  vessel  of  war  ?" 

"  Certainly  not.1' 

"  And  yet  have  you  been  acting,  as  far  as  my  weak 
judgment  teaches,  as  second  here,  since  the  moment 
we  entered  this  vessel,  wrecked  and  helpless  fugi 
tives  from  the  waves." 

Our  adventurer  again  averted  his  eye,  and  evident 
ly  searched  for  words,  ere  he  replied, — 

"  A  commission  is  always  respected :  Mine  pro 
cured  for  me  the  consideration  you  have  witnessed." 

"  You  are  then  an  officer  of  the  Crown  ?" 

"  Would  any  other  authority  be  respected  in  a 
vessel  of  the  Crown  ?  Death  had  left  a  vacancy  in 
the  second  station  of  this — cruiser.  Fortunately  for 
the  wants  of  the  service,  perhaps  for  myself,  I  was 
at  hand  to  fill  it." 

"  But,  tell  me  farther,"  continued  the  governess, 
who  appeared  disposed  to  profit  by  the  occasion  to 
solve  more  doubts  than  one,  "  is  it  usual  for  the  offi 
cers  of  a  vessel  of  war  to  appear  armed  among  their 
crew,  in  the  manner  I  see  here  ?" 

"  It  is  the  pleasure  of  our  Commander." 

"  That  Commander  is  evidently  a  skilful  seaman 
but  one  whose  caprices  and  tastes  are  as  extraordi 
nary  as  I  find  his  mien.  I  have  surely  seen  him  be 
fore  ;  and,  it  would  seem,  but  lately." 


316  THE    RED    ROVER. 

Mrs  Wyllys  then  became  silent  for  several  minutes. 
During  the  whole  time,  her  eye  never  averted  its 
gaze  from  the  form  of  the  calm  and  motionless  being, 
who  still  maintained  his  attitude  of  repose,  aloof 
from  all  that  throng  whom  he  had  the  address  to 
make  so  entirely  dependant  on  his  authority.  It 
seemed,  for  these  few  minutes,  that  the  organs  of  the 
governess  drunk  in  the  smallest  peculiarity  of  his 
person,  and  as  if  they  would  never  tire  of  their  gaze. 
Then,  drawing  a  heavy  and  relieving  breath,  she  once 
more  remembered  that  she  was  not  alone,  and  that 
others  were  silently,  but  observantly,  awaiting  the 
operation  of  her  secret  thoughts.  Without  mani 
festing  any  embarrassment,  however,  at  an  absence 
of  mind  that  was  far  too  common  to  surprise  her  pu 
pil,  the  governess  resumed  the  discourse  where  she 
had  herself  dropped  it,  bending  her  look  aerain  on 
Wilder. 

"  Is  Captain  Heidegger,  then,  long  of  your  ac 
quaintance  ?"  she  demanded, 

"  We  have  met  before." 

"  It  should  be  a  name  of  German  origin,  by  the 
sound.  Certain  I  am  that  it  is  new  to  me.  The  time 
has  been  when  few  officers,  of  his  rank,  in  the  ser 
vice  of  the  King,  were  unknown  to  me,  at  least  in 
name.  Is  his  family  of  long  standing  in  England?1 

"  That  is  a  question  he  may  better  answer  him 
self,"  said  Wilder,  glad  to  perceive  that  the  subject 
of  their  discourse  was  approaching  them,  with  the 
air  of  one  who  felt  that  none  in  that  vessel  might 
presume  to  dispute  his  right  to  mingle  in  any  dis 
course  that  should  please  his  fancy.  "  For  the  mo 
ment,  Madam,  my  duty  calls  me  elsewhere." 

Wilder  evidently  withdrew  with  reluctance  ;  and, 
had  suspicion  been  active  in  the  breasts  of  either  ol 
his  companions,  they  would  not  have  failed  to  note 
the  glance  of  distrust  with  which  he  watched  the 
manner  that  his  Commander  assumed  in  paying  the 


THE    RED    ROVER. 

salutations  of  the  morning.  There  was  nothing, 
however,  in  the  air  of  the  Rover  that  should  have 
given  ground  to  such  jealous  vigilance.  On  the  con 
trary,  his  manner,  for  the  moment,  was  cold  and  ab 
stracted,  and  he  appeared  to  mingle  in  their  discourse, 
much  more  from  a  sense  of  the  obligations  of  hospi 
tality,  than  from  any  satisfaction  that  he  might  have 
been  thought  to  derive  from  the  intercourse.  Still, 
his  deportment  was  kind,  and  his  voice  bland  as  the 
airs  that  were  wafted  from  the  healthful  islands  in 
view. 

"  There  is  a  sight" — he  said,  pointing  towards  the 
low  blue  ridges  of  the  land — "  that  forms  the  lands 
man's  delight,  and  the  seaman's  terror." 

"  Are,  then,  seamen  thus  averse  to  the  view  of  re 
gions  where  so  many  millions  of  their  fellow  crea 
tures  find  pleasure  in  dwelling  ?"  demanded  Ger 
trude,  (to  whom  he  more  particularly  addressed  his 
words),  with  a  frankness  that  would,  in  itself,  have 
sufficiently  proved  no  glimmerings  of  his  real  charac 
ter  had  ever  dawned  on  her  own  spotless  and  un 
suspicious  mind. 

"  Miss  Grayson  included,"  he  returned,  with  a 
slight  bow,  and  a  smile,  in  which,  perhaps,  irony  was 
concealed  by  playfulness.  "  After  the  risk  you  have 
so  lately  run,  even  I,  confirmed  and  obstinate  sea- 
monster  as  I  am,  have  no  reason  to  complain  of  your 
distaste  for  our  element.  And  yet,  you  see,  it  is  not 
entirely  without  its  charms.  No  lake,  that  lies  with 
in  the  limits  of  yon  Continent,  can  be  more  calm 
and  sweet  than  is  this  bit  of  ocean.  Were  we  a  few 
degrees  more  southward,  I  would  show  you  land 
scapes  of  rock  and  mountain — of  bays,  and  hill 
sides  sprinkled  with  verdure — of  tumbling  whales, 
and  lazy  fishermen,  and  distant  cottages,  and  lagging 
sails — such  as  would  make  a  figure  even  in  pages 
that  the  bright  eye  of  lady  might  love  to  read." 

"  And  yet  for  most  of  this  would  you  be  indebted 
2D2 


318  THE    RED    ROVER. 

to  the  land.  In  return  far  your  picture,  I  would  take 
you  north,  and  show  you  black  and  threatening 
clouds — a  green  and  angry  sea — shipwrecks  and 
shoals — cottages,  hill-sides,  and  mountains,  in  the 
imagination  only  of  the  drowning  man — and  sails 
bleached  by  waters  that  contain  the  voracious  shark, 
or  the  disgus'ing  polypus." 

Gertrude  had  answered  in  his  own  vein  ;  but  it 
was  too  evident,  by  her  pale  cheek,  and  a  slight  tre- 
mour  about  her  full,  rich  lip,  that  memory  was  also 
busy  with  its  frightful  images.  The  quick-searching 
eye  of  the  Rover  was  not  slow  to  detect  the  change. 
As  though  he  would  banish  every  recollection  that 
might  give  her  pain,  he  artfully,  but  delicately,  gave 
a  new  direction  to  the  discourse. 

"  There  are  people  who  think  the  sea  has  no 
amusements,'1  he  said.  u  To  a  pining,  home-sick, 
sea-sick  miserable,  this  may  well  be  true  ;  but  the 
man  who  has  spirit  enough  to  keep  down  the  qualms 
of  the  animal  may  tell  a  different  tale.  We  have  our 
balls  regularly,  for  instance  ;  and  there  are  artists  on 
board  this  ship,  who,  though  they  cannot,  perhaps, 
make  as  accurate  a  right  angle  with  their  legs  as  the 
first  dancer  of  a  leaping  ballet,  can  go  through  their 
figures  in  a  gale  of  wind  ;  which  is  more  than  can 
be  said  of  the  highest  jumper  of  them  all  on  shore.1" 

"  A  ball,  without  females,  would,  at  least,  be 
thought  an  unsocial  amusement,  with  us  uninstruct- 
ed  people  of  terra  firma." 

"  Hum !  It  might  be  better  for  a  lady  or  two 
Then,  have  we  our  theatre  :  Farce,  comedy,  and 
the  buskin,  take  their  turns  to  help  along  the  time. 
Yon  fellow,  that  you  see  lying  on  the  fore-topsail- 
yard,  like  an  indolent  serpent  basking  on  the  branch 
of  a  tree,  will  4  roar  you  as  gently  as  any  sucking 
dove  P  And  here  is  a  votary  of  Momus,  who  would 
raise  a  smile  on  the  lips  of  a  sea-sick  friar  :  I  believe 
(  can  say  no  more  in  his  commendation  " 


THE    RED    ROVER.  319 

**  Ail  this  is  well  in  the  description,'1  returned  Mrs 
Wyllys ;  "  but  something  is  due  to  the  merit  of  the 
— poet,  or,  painter  shall  I  term  you  ?" 

*'  Neither,  but  a  grave  and  veritable  chronologer, 
However,  since  you  doubt,  and  since  you  are  so 
new  to  the  ocean" — 

"  Pardon  me  i"  the  lady  gravely  interrupted,  "  I 
am,  on  the  contrary,  one  who  has  seen  much  of  it." 

The  Rover,  who  had  rather  suffered  his  unsettled 
glances  to  wander  over  the  youthful  countenance  of 
Gertrude  than  towards  her  companion,  now  bent  his 
eyes  on  the  last  speaker,  where  he  kept  them  fasten 
ed  so  long  as  to  create  some  little  embarrassment  in 
the  subject  of  his  gaze, 

"  You  seem  surprised  that  the  time  of  a  female 
should  have  been  thus  employed,"  she  observed, 
with  a  view  to  arouse  his  attention  to  the  impropriety 
of  his  observation, 

u  We  were  speaking  of  the  sea,  if  I  remember, 
he  continued,  like  a  man  that  was  suddenly  awaken 
ed  from  a  deep  reverie,     **  Ay,  I  know  it  was  of  the 
sea ;  for  I  had  grown  boastful  in  my  panegyrics  :  I 
had  told  you  tha.t  this  ship  was  faster  than" — 

"  Nothing  !"  exclaimed  Gertrude,  laughing  at  his 
blunder,  **  You  were  playing  Master  of  Ceremonies 
at  a  nautical  ball !" 

u  Will  you  figure  in  a  minuet  ?  Shall  I  honour  my 
boards  with  the  graces  of  your  person  ?" 

"  Me,  sir  ?  and  with  whom  ?  the  gentleman  who 
knows  so  well  the  manner  of  keeping  his  feet  in  a 
gale?" 

**  You  were  about  to  relieve  any  doubts  we  might 
have  concerning  the  amusements  of  seamen,"  said 
the  governess,  reproving  the  too  playful  spirit  of  her 
pupil,  by  a  glance  of  her  own  grave  eye. 

"  Ay,  it  was  the  humour  of  the  moment,  nor  will 
I  balk  it.11 

He  thew  turned  towards  Wilder,  who  had  posted 


320  THE   RED    ROVER. 

himself  within  ear-shot  of  what  was   passing,  and 
continued, — 

"  These  ladies  doubt  our  gaiety,  Mr  Wilder.  Let 
the  boatswain  give  the  magical  wind  of  his  call,  and 
pass  the  word  '  To  mischief  among  the  people." 

Our  adventurer  bowed  his  acquiescence,  and  issu 
ed  the  necessary  order.  In  a  few  moments,  the  pre 
cise  individual  who  has  already  made  acquaintance 
with  the  reader,  in  the  bar-room  of  the  "  Foul  An 
chor,"  appeared  in  the  centre  of  the  vessel,  near  the 
main  hatchway,  decorated,  as  before,  with  his  silver 
chain  and  whistle,  and  accompanied  by  two  mates 
who  were  humbler  scholars  of  the  same  gruff  school. 
Then  rose  a  long,  shrill  whistle  from  the  instrument 
of  Nightingale,  who,  when  the  sound  had  died  away 
on  the  ear,  uttered,  in  his  deepest  and  least  sonorous 
tones, — 

"  All  hands  to  mischief,  ahoy  !" 

We  have  before  had  occasion  to  liken  these  sounds 
to  the  muttering  of  a  bull,  nor  shall  we  at  present  see 
fit  to  disturb  the  comparison,  since  no  other  simili 
tude,  so  apt,  presents  itself.  The  example  of  the 
boatswain  was  followed  by  each  of  his  mates  in 
turn,  and  then  the  summons  was  deemed  sufficient 
However  unintelligible  and  grum  the  call  might 
sound  in  the  musical  ears  of  Gertrude,  they  produc 
ed  no  unpleasant  effects  on  the  organs  of  a  majority 
of  those  who  heard  them.  When  the  first  swelling 
and  protracted  note  of  the  call  mounted  on  the  still 
air,  each  idle  and  extended  young,  seaman,  as  he  lay 
stretched  upon  a  spar,  or  hung  dangling  from  a  rat 
ling,  lifted  his  head,  to  catch  the  words  that  were  to 
follow,  as  an  obedient  spaniel  pricks  his  ears  to  catch 
the  tones  of  his  master.  But  no  sooner  had  the  en> 
phatic  word,  which  preceded  the  long-drawn  and 
customary  exclamation  with  which  Nightingale  clos 
ed  his  summons,  been  pronounced,  than  the  low 
murmur  of  voices,  which  had  so  long  been  main- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  321 

tained  among  the  men,  broke  out  in  a  simultaneous 
and  common  shout.  In  an  instant,  every  symptom 
of  lethargy  disappeared  in  a  general  and  extraordi 
nary  activity.  The  young  and  nimble  topmen  bound 
ed,  like  leaping  animals,  into  the  rigging  of  their  re 
spective  masts,  and  were  seen  ascending  the  shaking 
ladders  of  ropes  as  so  many  squirrels  would  hasten 
to  their  holes  at  the  signal  of  alarm.  The  graver  and 
heavier  seamen  of  the  forecastle,  the  still  more  im 
portant  quarter-gunners  and  quarter-masters,  the  less 
instructed  and  half-startled  waisters,  and  the  raw  and 
actually  alarmed  after-guard,  all  hurried,  by  a  sort 
of  instinct,  to  their  several  points ;  the  more  prac 
tised  to  plot  mischief  against  their  shipmates,  and  the 
less  intelligent  to  concert  their  means  of  defence. 

In  an  instant,  the  tops  and  yards  were  ringing  with 
laughter  and  loudly-uttered  jokes,  as  each  exulting 
mariner  aloft  proclaimed  his  device  to  his  fellows,  or 
urged  his  own  inventions,  at  the  expense  of  some  less 
ingenious  mode  of  annoyance.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  distrustful  and  often  repeated  glances  that  were 
thrown  upward,  from  the  men  who  had  clustered  on 
(he  quarter-deck  and  around  the  foot  of  the  main 
mast,  sufficiently  proclaimed  the  diffidence  with 
which  the  novices  on  deck  were  about  to  enter  into 
the  contest  of  practical  wit  that  was  about  to  com 
mence.  The  steady  and  more  earnest  seamen  for 
ward,  however,  maintained  their  places,  with  a  spe 
cies  of  stern  resolution  wrhich  manifestly  proved  the 
reliance  they  had  on  their  physical  force,  and  their 
long  familiarity  with  all  the  humouis,  no  less  than 
with  the  dangers,  of  the  ocean. 

There  was  another  little  cluster  of  men,  who  as 
sembled,  in  the  midst  of  the  general  clamour  and 
confusion,  with  a  haste  and  steadiness  that  announc 
ed,  at  the  same  time,  both  a  consciousness  of  the  en 
tire  necessity  of  unity  on  the  present  occasion,  and 
the  habit  of  acting  in  concert.  These  were  the 


322  THE    RED    ROVER. 

drilled  and  military  dependants  of  the  General,  be 
tween  whom,  and  the  less  artificial  seamen,  there  ex 
isted  not  only  an  antipathy  that  might  almost  be 
called  instinctive,  but  which,  for  obvious  reasons 
had  been  so  strongly  encouraged  in  the  vessel  of 
which  we  write,  as  often  to  manifest  itself  in  turbu 
lent  and  nearly  mutinous  broils.  About  twenty  in 
number,  they  collected  quickly ;  and,  although  obliged 
to  dispense  with  their  fire-arms  in  such  an  amuse 
ment,  there  was  a  sternness,  in  the  visage  of  each  of 
the  whiskered  worthies,  that  showed  how  readily  he 
could  appeal  to  the  bayonet  that  was  suspended  from 
his  shoulder,  should  need  demand  it.  Their  Com 
mander  himself  withdrew,  with  the  rest  of  the  offi 
cers,  to  the  poop,  in  order  that  no  incumbrance 
might  be  given,  by  their  presence,  to  the  freedom  of 
the  sports  to  which  they  had  resigned  the  rest  of  the 
vessel. 

A  couple  of  minutes  might  have  been  lost  in  pro 
ducing  the  different  changes  we  have  just  related. 
But,  so  soon  as  the  topmen  were  sure  that  no  unfor 
tunate  laggard  of  their  party  was  within  reach  of 
the  resentment  of  the  different  groupes  beneath, 
they  commenced  complying  literally  with  the  sum 
mons  of  the  boatswain,  by  plotting  mischief. 

Sundry  buckets,  most  of  which  had  been  provided 
for  the  extinction  of  fire,  were  quickly  seen  pendant 
from  as  many  whips  on  the  outer  extremity  of  the 
different  yards  descending  towards  the  sea.  In  spite 
of  the  awkward  opposition  of  the  men  below,  these 
leathern  vessels  were  speedily  filled,  and  in  the 
hands  of  those  who  had  sent  them  down.  Many 
was  the  gaping  waister,  and  rigid  marine,  who  now 
made  a  more  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  element 
on  which  he  floated  than  suited  either  his  conve 
nience  or  his  humour.  So  long  as  the  jokes  were 
confined  to  these  semi-initiated  individuals,  the  top 
men  enjoyed  their  fun  with  impunity;  but,  the  in 


THE    RED   ROVER.  323 

atant  the  dignity  of  a  quarter-gunner's  person  was 
invaded,  the  whole  gang  of  petty  officers  and  fore 
castle-men  lose  in  a  body  to  meet  the  insult,  with  a 
readiness  ajad  dexterity  that  manifested  how  much 
at  home  the  elder  mariners  were  with  all  that  be 
longed  to  their  art.  A  little  engine  was  transferred 
to  the  head,  and  was  then  brought  to  bear  on  the 
nearest  top,  lifoe  -a  well-planted  battery  clearing  the 
way  for  the  opening  battle.  The  laughing  and  chat 
tering  topmen  were  soon  dispersed  :  some  ascending 
beyond  die  power  of  the  engine,  and  others  retreat 
ing  into  the  neighbouring  top,  along  ropes,  and  across 
giddy  heights,  that  would  have  seemed  impractica 
ble  to  any  animal  less  agile  than  a  squirrel. 

The  marines  were  now  summoned,  by  the  suc 
cessful  and  malicious  mariners,  forward,  to  improve 
their  advantage.  Thoroughly  drenched  already,  and 
eager  to  resent  their  wrongs,  a  half-dozen  of  the  sol 
diers,  led  on  by  a  corporal,  the  coating  of  whose 
powdered  poll  had  been  converted  into  a  sort  of 
paste  by  too  great  an  intimacy  with  a  bucket  of  wa 
ter,  essayed  to  mount  the  rigging ;  an  exploit  to  them 
much  more  arduous  than  to  enter  a  breach.  The 
waggish  quarter-gunners  and  quarter-masters,  satisfi 
ed  with  their  own  success,  stimulated  them  to  the 
enterprise ;  and  Nightingale  and  his  mates,  while  they 
rolled  their  tongues  into  their  cheeks,  gave  forth,  with 
their  whistles,  the  cheering  sound  of  u  heave  away  !" 
The  sight  of  these  adventurers,  slowly  and  cautious 
ly  mounting  the  rigging,  acted  very  much,  on  the 
scattered  topmen,  in  the  manner  that  the  appear 
ance  of  so  many  flies,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
a  web,  is  known  to  act  on  their  concealed  and  ra 
pacious  enemies.  The  sailors  aloft  saw,  by  expres 
sive  glances  from  them  below,  that  a  soldier  was 
considered  legal  game.  No  sooner,  therefore,  had 
the  latter  fairly  entered  into  the  toils,  than  twenty 
topmen  rushed  out  upon  them,  in  order  to  make  sure 


324  THE    RED    ROVER. 

of  their  prizes.  In  an  incredibly  short  time,  this 
important  result  was  achieved.  Two  or  three  of 
the  aspiring  adventurers  were  lashed  where  they  had 
been  found,  utterly  unable  to  make  any  resistance  in 
a  spot  where  instinct  itself  seemed  to  urge  them  to 
devote  both  hands  to  the  necessary  duty  of  holding 
fast ;  while  the  rest  were  transferred,  by  the  mean? 
of  whips,  to  different  spars,  very  much  as  a  light 
sail  or  a  yard  would  have  been  swayed  into  its  place. 

In  the  midst  of  the  clamorous  rejoicings  that  at 
tended  this  success,  one  individual  made  himself  con 
spicuous  for  the  gravity  and  business-like  air  with 
which  he  performed  his  part  of  the  comedy.  Seated 
on  the  outer  end  of  a  lower  yard,  with  as  much 
steadiness  as  though  he  had  been  placed  on  an  otto 
man,  he  was  intently  occupied  in  examining  into  the 
condition  of  a  captive,  who  had  been  run  up  at  hi? 
feet,  with  an  order  from  the  waggish  captain  of  the 
top,  "  to  turn  him  in  for  a  jewel-block  ;"  a  name 
that  appears  to  have  been  taken  from  the  precious 
stones  that  are  so  often  seen  pendant  from  the  ears 
of  the  other  sex. 

"Ay,  ay,"  muttered  this  deliberate  and  grave- 
looking  tar,  who  was  no  other  than  Richard  Fid, 
"  the  stropping  you've  sent  with  the  fellow  is  none 
of  the  best ;  and,  if  he  squeaks  so  now,  what  will  he 
do  when  you  come  to  reeve  a  rope  through  him  ' 
By  the  Lord,  masters,  you  should  have  furnished  the 
lad  a  better  outfit,  if  you  meant  to  send  him  into 
good  company  aloft.  Here  are  more  holes  in  his 
jacket  than  there  are  cabin  windows  to  a  Chinese 
junk.  Hilloa  I — on  deck  there  ! — you  Guinea,  pick 
me  up  a  tailor,  and  send  him  aloft,  to-  keep  the  wind 
out  of  this  waister's  tarpauling." 

The  athletic  African,  who  had  been  posted  on  the 
forecastle  for  his  vast  strength,  cast  an  eye  upward, 
and,  with  both  arms  thrust  into  his  bosom,  he  rolled 
along  the  deck,  with  just  as  serious  a  mien  as  though 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


325 


he  had  been  sent  on  a  duty  of  the  greatest  import. 
The  uproar  over  his  head  had  drawn  a  most  help 
less-looking  mortal  from  a  retired  corner  of  the 
birth-deck,  to  the  ladder  of  the  forward  hatch, 
where,  with  a  body  half  above  the  combings,  a  skein 
of  strong  coarse  thread  around  his  neck,  a  piece  of 
bees-wax  in  one  hand,  and  a  needle  in  the  other,  he 
stood  staring  about  him,  with  just  that  sort  of  bewil 
dered  air  that  a  Chinese  mandarin  would  manifest, 
were  he  to  be  suddenly  initiated  in  the  mysteries  of 
the  ballet.  On  this  object  the  eye  of  Scipio  fell. 
Stretching  out  an  arm,  he  cast  him  upon  his  shoulder ; 
and,  before  the  startled  subject  of  his  attack  knew 
into  whose  hands  he  had  fallen,  a  hook  was  passed 
beneath  the  waistband  of  his  trowsers,  and  he  was 
half  way  between  the  water  and  the  spar,  on  his  way 
to  join  the  considerate  Fid. 

"  Have  a  care  lest  you  let  the  man  fall  into  the 
sea !"  cried  Wilder  sternly,  from  his  stand  on  the 
distant  poop. 

"  He'm  tailor,  masser  Harry,"  returned  the  black, 
without  altering  a  muscle ;  "  if  a  clothes  no  'trong, 
he  nobody  blame  but  heself." 

During  this  brief  parlance,  the  good-man  Home 
spun  had  safely  arrived  at  the  termination  of  his  lofty 
flight.  Here  he  was  suitably  received  by  Fid,  who 
raised  him  to  his  side  ;  and,  having  placed  him  com 
fortably  between  the  yard  and  the  boom,  he  pro 
ceeded  to  secure  him  by  a  lashing  that  would  give 
the  tailor  the  proper  disposition  of  his  hands. 

"  Bouse  a  bit  on  this  waister !"  called  Richard, 
when  he  had  properly  secured  the  good-man  ;  "  so  ; 
belay  all  that." 

He  then  put  one  foot  on  the  neck  of  his  prisoner, 
and,  seizing  his  lower  member  as  it  swung  upper 
most,  he  coolly  placed  it  in  the  lap  of  the  awe-struck 
tailor. 

"There,  friend,"  he  said,  "handle  your  needle 
2E 


326  THE    RED    ROVER. 

and  palm  now,  as  if  you  were  at  job-work.  Your 
knowing  handicraft  always  begins  with  the  founda 
tion,  wherein  he  makes  sure  that  his  upper  gear  wil 
stand." 

"  The  Lord  protect  me,  and  all  other  sinful  mor 
tals,  from  an  untimely  end  !"  exclaimed  Homespun, 
gazing  at  the  vacant  view  from  his  giddy  elevation, 
with  a  sensation  a  little  resembling  that  with  which 
the  aeronaut,  in  his  first  experiment,  regards  the  pros 
pect  beneath. 

"  Settle  away  this  waister,"  again  called  Fid ;  "  he 
interrupts  rational  conversation  by  his  noise;  and, 
as  his  gear  is  condemned  by  this  here  tailor,  why, 
you  may  turn  him  over  to  the  purser  for  a  new  out 
fit." 

The  real  motive,  however,  for  getting  rid  of  his 
pendant  companion  was  a  twinkling  of  humanity, 
that  still  glimmered  through  the  rough  humour  of  the 
tar,  who  well  knew  that  his  prisoner  must  hang, 
where  he  did,  at  some  little  expense  of  bodily  ease. 
As  soon  as  his  request  was  complied  with,  he  turned 
to  the  good-man,  to  renew  the  discourse,  with  just 
as  much  composure  as  though  they  were  both  seated 
on  the  deck,  or  as  if  a  dozen  practical  jokes,  of  the 
same  character,  were  not  in  the  process  of  enactment, 
in  as  many  different  parts  of  the  vessel. 

"  What  makes  you  open  your  eyes,  brother,  in  this 
port-hole  fashion  ?"  commenced  the  topman.  "  This 
is  all  water  that  you  see  about  you,  except  that  hom- 
moc  of  blue  in  the  eastern  board,  which  is  a  morsel 
of  upland  in  the  Bahamas,  d'ye  see." 

"  A  sinful  and  presuming  world  is  this  we  live  in !" 
returned  the  good-man ;  "  nor  can  any  one  tell  at 
what  moment  his  life  is  to  be  taken  from  him.  Five 
bloody  and  cruel  wars  have  I  lived  to  see  in  safety 
and  yet  am  I  reserved  to  meet  this  disgraceful  and 
profane  end  at  last." 

"  Well,  since  you've  had  your  luck  in  the  wars, 


THE    RED    ROVER.  327 

you've  the  less  reason  to  grumble  at  the  bit  of  a 
surge  you  may  have  felt  in  your  garments,  as  they 
run  you  up  to  this  here  yard-arm.  1  say,  brother,  I've 
known  stouter  fellows  take  the  same  ride,  who  never 
knew  when  or  how  they  got  down  again." 

Homespun,  who  did  not  more  than  half  compre 
hend  the  allusion  of  Fid,  now  regarded  him  in  a  way 
that  announced  some  little  desire  for  an  explanation, 
mingled  with  great  admiration  of  the  unconcern  witl* 
which  his  companion  maintained  his  position,  with 
out  the  smallest  aid  from  any  thing  but  his  self- 
balancing  powers. 

"I  say,  brother,"  resumed  Fid,  "that  many  a 
stout  seaman  has  been  whipt  up  to  the  end  of  a  yard, 
who  has  started  by  the  signal  of  a  gun,  and  who  has 
staid  there  just  as  long  as  the  president  of  a  court- 
martial  was  pleased  to  believe  might  be  necessary  to 
mprove  his  honesty !" 

"  It  would  be  a  fearful  and  frightful  trifling  with 
Providence,  in  the  least  offending  and  conscientious 
manner,  to  take  such  awful  punishments  in  vain,  by 
acting  them  in  his  sports ;  but  doubly  so  do  I  pro 
nounce  it  in  the  crew  of  a  ship  on  which  no  man 
can  say  at  what  hour  retribution  and  compunction 
are  to  alight.  It  seems  to  me  unwise  to  tempt  Prov 
idence  by  such  provocating  exhibitions." 

Fid  cast  a  glance  of  far  more  than  usual  signifi 
cance  at  the  good-man,  and  even  postponed  his  re 
ply,  until  he  had  freshened  his  ideas  by  an  ample 
addition  to  the  morsel  of  weed  which  he  had  kept 
all  along  thrust  into  one  of  his  cheeks.  Then,  casting 
his  eyes  about  him,  in  order  to  see  that  none  of  his 
noisy  and  riotous  companions,  of  the  top,  were  with 
in  ear-shot,  he  fastened  a  still  more  meaning  look  on 
the  countenance  of  the  tailor,  as  he  responded, — 

"  Hark  ye,  brother ;  whatever  may  be  the  other 
good  points  of  Richard  Fid,  his  friends  cannot  say 
he  is  much  of  a  scholar.  This  being  the  case,  he  has 


328  THE    RED    ROVER. 

not  seen  fit  to  ask  a  look  at  the  sailing  orders,  on 
coming  aboard  this  wholesome  vessel.  I  suppose, 
howsomever,  that  they  can  be  forthcoming  at  need 
and  that  no  honest  man  need  be  ashamed  to  be  found 
cruising  under  the  same." 

"  Ah  !  Heaven  protect  such  unoffending  innocents 
as  serve  here  against  their  will,  when  the  allotted 
time  of  the  cruiser  shall  be  filled !"  returned  Home 
spun.  "  I  take  it,  however,  that  you,  as  a  sea-faring 
and  understanding  man,  have  not  entered  into  this 
enterprise  without  receiving  the  bounty,  and  know 
ing  the  whole  nature  of  the  service." 

"  The  devil  a  bit  have  I  entered  at  all,  either  in 
the  '  Enterprise1  or  in  the  '  Dolphin,'  as  they  call  this 
same  craft.  There  is  master  Harry,  the  lad  on  the 
poop  there,  he  who  hails  a  yard  as  soft  as  a  bull- 
whale  roars  ;  I  follow  his  signals,  d'ye  see  ;  and  it  is 
seldom  that  I  bother  him  with  questions  as  to  what 
tack  he  means  to  lay  his  boat  on  next." 

"  What !  would  you  sell  your  soul  in  this  manner 
to  Beelzebub  ;  and  that,  too,  without  a  price  ?" 

"  I  say,  friend,  it  may  be  as  well  to  overhaul  your 
ideas,  before  you  let  them  slip,  in  this  no-man's  fash 
ion,  from  your  tongue.  I  would  wish  to  treat  a  gen 
tleman,  who  has  come  aloft  to  pay  me  a  visit,  with 
such  civility  as  may  do  credit  to  my  top,  though  the 
crew  be  at  mischief,  d'ye  see.  But  an  officer  like 
him  I  follow  has  a  name  of  his  own,  without  stop 
ping  to  borrow  one  of  the  person  you've  just  seen  fit 
to  name.  I  scorn  such  a  pitiful  thing  as  a  threat ; 
but  a  man  of  your  years  needn't  be  told,  that  it  is 
just  as  easy  to  go  down  from  this  here  spar  as  it  \vas 
to  come  up  to  it." 

The  tailor  cast  a  glance  beneath  him  into  the 
brine,  and  hastened  to  do  away  the  unfavourable  im. 
pression  which  his  last  unfortunate  interrogation  had 
BO  evidently  left  on  the  mind  of  his  brawny  associate 

"  Heaven  forbid  that  I  should  caJl  any  one  but  be 


THE    RED    ROVER.  329 

their  grven  and  family  names,  as  tae  law  commands,'1 
he  said ;  "  I  meant  merely  to  inquire,  if  you  would 
follow  the  gentleman  you  serve  to  so  unseemly  and 
pernicious  a  place  as  a  gibbet  ?" 

Fid  ruminated  some  little  time,  before  he  saw  fit 
to  reply  to  so  sweeping  a  query.  During  this  unu 
sual  process,  he  agitated  the  weed,  with  which  his 
mouth  was  nearly  gorged,  with  great  industry  ;  and 
then,  terminating  both  processes,  by  casting  a  jet  of 
the  juice  nearly  to  the  sprit-sail-yard,  he  said,  in  a 
very  decided  tone, — 

"  If  I  wouldn't,  may  I  be  d d  !  After  sailing  in 

company  for  four-and-twenty  years,  I  should  be  no 
better  than  a  sneak,  to  part  company,  because  such 
a  trifle  as  a  gallows  hove  in  sight." 

"  The  pay  of  such  a  service  should  be  both  gen 
erous  and  punctual,  and  the  cheer  of  the  most  en 
couraging  character,"  the  good-man  observed,  in  a 
way  that  manifested  he  should  not  be  displeased 
were  he  to  receive  a  reply.  Fid  was  in  no  disposi 
tion  to  balk  his  curiosity,  but  rather  deemed  himself 
bound,  since  he  had  once  entered  on  the  subject,  tc 
leave  no  part  of  it  in  obscurity. 

"  As  for  the  pay,  d'ye  see,"  he  said,  "  it  is  seaman's 
wages.  I  should  despise  myself  to  take  less  than 
falls  to  the  share  of  the  best  foremast-hand  in  a  ship, 
since  it  would  be  all  the  same  as  owning  that  I  got 
my  deserts.  But  master  Harry  has  a  way  of  his 
own  in  rating  men's  services  ;  and  if  his  ideas  get 
jamm'd  in  an  affair  of  this  sort,  it  is  no  marlingspike 
that  I  handle  which  can  loosen  them.  I  once  just 
named  the  propriety  of  getting  me  a  quarter-master's 
birth  ;  but  devil  the  bit  would  he  be  doing  the  thing, 
seeing,  as  he  says  himself,  that  I  have  a  fashion  of 
getting  a  little  hazy  at  times,  which  would  only  be 
putting  me  in  danger  of  disgrace  ;  since  every  body 
knows  that  the  higher  a  monkey  climbs  in  the  rig 
ging  of  a  ship,  the  easier  every  body  on  deck  can 
2E2 


330  THE    RED    ROVER, 

see  that  he  has  a  tail.  Then,  as  to  cheer,  it  is  sea' 
man's  fare  ;  sometimes  a  cut  to  spare  for  a  friend 
and  sometimes  a  hungry  stomach." 

"  But  then  there  are  often  divisions  of  the  —  a  —  a 
—  the  prize-money,  in  this  successful  cruiser  ?"  de 
manded  the  good-man,  averting  his  face  as  he  spoke, 
perhaps  from,  a  consciousness  that  it  might  betray  an 
unseemly  interest  in  the  answer.  w  I  dare  say,  you 
receive  amends  for  all  your  sufferings,  when  the 
purser  gives  forth  the  spoils." 

"  Hark  ye,  brother,"  said  Fid,  again  assuming  a 
look  of  significance,  "  can  you  tell  me  where  the 
Admiralty  Court  sits  which  condemns  her  prizes  ?" 

The  good-man  returned  the  glance,  with  interest  ; 
but  an  extraordinary  uproar,  in  another  part  of  the 
vessel,  cut  short  the  dialogue,  just  as  there  was  a  ra 
tional  probability  it  might  lead  to  some  consolatory 
explanations  between  the  parties. 

As  the  action  of  the  tale  is  shortly  to  be  set  in  mo 
tion  again,  we  shall  refer  the  cause  of  the  commo 
tion  to  the  opening  of  the  succeeding  chapter. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

-  "  Come,  and  get  thee  a  sword,  though  made  of  a  lath  ; 
They  have  been  up  these  two  days."  —  King1  Henry  VI. 

WHILE  the  little  by-play  that  we  have  just  related 
was  enacting  on  the  fore-yard-arm  of  the  Rover 
scenes,  that  partook  equally  of  the  nature  of  tragedy 
and  farce,  were  in  the  process  of  exhibition  elsewhere. 
The  contest  between  the  possessors  of  the  deck  and 
those  active  tenants  of  the  top,  so  often  named,  wa? 
far  from  having  reached  its  termination.  Blows  had 
in  more  than  one  instance,  succeeded  to  angry  words 
and,  as  the  former  was  a  part  of  the  sports  in  which 


THE    RED   ROVER.  331 

the  marines  and  waisters  were  on  an  equality  with 
their  more  ingenious  tormentors,  the  war  was  begin 
ning  to  be  waged  with  some  appearances  of  a  very 
doubtful  success.  Nightingale,  however,  was  always 
ready  to  recall  the  combatants  to  their  sense  of 
propriety,  with  his  well-known  wind  of  the  call,  and 
his  murmuring  voice.  A  long,  shrill  whistle,  with 
the  words, "  Good  humour,  ahoy !"  had  hitherto  serv 
ed  to  keep  down  the  rising  tempers  of  the  different 
parties,  when  the  joke  bore  too  hard  on  the  high- 
spirited  soldier,  or  the  revengeful,  though  perhaps  less 
mettlesome,  member  of  the  after-guard.  But  an  over 
sight,  on  the  part  of  him  who  in  common  kept  so 
vigilant  an  eye  on  the  movements  of  all  beneath  his 
orders,  had  nearly  led  to  results  of  a  far  more  serious 
nature. 

No  sooner  had  the  crew  commenced  the  different 
rough  sports  we  have  just  related,  than  the  vein 
which  had  induced  the  Rover  to  loosen  the  reins  of 
discipline,  for  the  moment,  seemed  suddenly  to  sub 
side.  The  gay  and  cheerful  air  that  he  had  maintain 
ed  in  his  dialogue  with  his  female  guests  (or  prison 
ers,  whichever  he  might  be  disposed  to  consider 
them)  had  disappeared,  in  a  thoughtful  and  clouded 
brow.  His  eye  no  longer  lighted  with  those  glim 
merings  of  wayward  and  sarcastic  humour  in  which 
he  much  loved  to  indulge,  but  its  expression  became 
painfully  settled  and  austere.  It  was  evident  that 
his  mind  had  relapsed  into  one  of  those  brooding 
reveries  that  so  often  obscured  his  playful  and  viva 
cious  mien,  as  a  shadow  darkens  the  golden  tints  of 
the  field  of  ripe  and  waving  corn. 

While  most  of  those  who  were  not  actors  in  the 
noisy  and  humorous  achievements  of  the  crew  stead 
ily  regarded  the  same,  some  with  wonder,  others  with 
distrust,  and  all  with  more  or  less  of  the  humour  of 
the  hour,  the  Rover,  to  all  appearance,  was  quite 
unconscious  of  all  that  was  going  on  before  his  face 


332  THE    RED    ROVER, 

It  is  true,  that  at  times  he  raised  his  eyes  to  the  active 
beings  who  clung  like  squirrels  to  the  ropes,  or  suf 
fered  them  to  fall  on  the  duller  movements  of  the 
men  below;  but  it  was  always  with  a  vacancy  which 
proved  that  the  image  they  carried  to  the  brain  was 
dim  and  illusory.  The  looks  he  cast,  from  time  to 
time,  on  Mrs  Wyllys  and  her  fail  and  deeply  inter 
ested  pupil,  betrayed  the  workings  of  the  temper  of 
the  inward  man.  It  was  only  in  these  brief  but 
comprehensive  glances  that  the  feelings  by  which  he 
was  governed  might  have  been,  in  any  manlier,  tra 
ced  to  their  origin.  Still  would  the  nicest  observer 
have  been  puzzled,  if  not  baffled,  in  endeavouring  to 
pronounce  on  the  entire  character  of  the  emotions 
uppermost  in  his  mind.  At  instants,  it  might  have 
been  fancied  that  some  unholy  and  licentious  passion 
was  getting  the  ascendancy ;  and  then,  as  his  eye 
ran  rapidly  over  the  chaste  and  matronly,  though 
still  attractive,  countenance  of  the  governess,  no  im 
agination  was  necessary  to  read  the  look  of  doubt, 
as  well  as  respect,  with  which  he  gazed. 

It  was  while  thus  occupied  that  the  sports  pro 
ceeded,  sometimes  humorous,  and  forcing  smiles 
even  from  the  lips  of  the  half-terrified  Gertrude,  but 
always  tending  to  that  violence,  and  outbreaking  of 
anger,  which  might,  at  any  moment,  set  at  naught  the 
discipline  of  a  vessel  in  which  no  other  means  to  en 
force  authority  existed,  than  such  as  its  officers  could, 
on  the  instant,  command.  Water  had  been  so  lavish 
ly  expended,  that  the  decks  were  running  with  the 
fluid,  even  more  than  one  flight  of  spray  having  in 
vaded  the  privileged  precincts  of  the  poop.  Every 
ordinary  device  of  similar  scenes  had  been  resorted 
to,  by  the  men  aloft,  to  annoy  their  less  advantage 
ously  posted  shipmates  beneath  ;  and  such  means  of 
retaliation  had  been  adopted  as  use  or  facility  ren 
dered  obvious.  Here,  a  hog  and  a  waister  were  seen 
swinging  against  each  other,  pendant  beneath  a  top 


THE    RED    ROVER.  333 

there,  a  marine,  lashed  in  the  rigging,  was  obliged  to 
suffer  the  manipulation  of  a  pet  monkey,  which 
drilled  to  the  duty,  and  armed  with  a  comb,  was 
posted  on  his  shoulder,  with  an  air  as  grave,  and  an 
eye  as  observant,  as  though  he  had  been  regularly 
educated  in  the  art  of  the  perruquier ;  and,  every 
where,  some  coarse  and  practical  joke  proclaimed 
the  licentious  liberty  which  had  been  momentarily 
accorded  to  a  set  of  beings  who  were,  in  common, 
kept  in  that  restraint  which  comfort,  no  less  than 
safety,  requires  for  the  well-ordering  of  an  armed 
ship. 

In  the  midst  of  the  noise  and  turbulence,  a  voice 
was  heard,  apparently  issuing  from  the  ocean,  hailing 
the  vessel  by  name,  with  the  aid  of  a  speaking-trum 
pet,  that  had  been  applied  to  the  outer  circumference 
of  a  hawse  hole. 

"Who  speaks  the  'Dolphin?'"  demanded  Wil 
der,  in  reply,  when  he  perceived  that  the  summons 
had  fallen  on  the  dull  ears  of  his  Commander,  with 
out  recalling  him  to  the  recollection  of  what  was  in 
action. 

"  Father  Neptune  is  under  your  fore-foot." 

"  What  wills  the  God  ?" 

"  He  has  heard  that  certain  strangers  have  come 
into  his  dominions,  and  he  wishes  leave  to  come 
aboard  the  saucy  4  Dolphin,'  to  inquire  into  their 
errands,  and  to  overhaul  the  log-book  of  their  char 
acters." 

"  He  is  welcome.  Show  the  old  man  aboard 
through  the  head ;  he  is  too  experienced  a  sailor  to 
wish  to  come  in  by  the  cabin  windows." 

Here  the  parlance  ceased  ;  for  Wilder  turned  upon 
his  heel,  as  though  he  were  already  disgusted  with 
his  part  of  the  mummery. 

An  athletic  seaman  soon  appeared,  seemingly  issu 
ing  from  the  element  whose  deity  he  aspired  to  per 
sonate.  Mops,  dripping  with  brine,  supplied  the 


334  THE    RED    ROVER. 

place  of  hoary  locks ;  gulf-weed,  of  which  acres 
were  floating  within  a  league  of  the  ship,  composed 
a  sort  of  negligent  mantle  ;  and  in  his  hand  he  bore 
a  trident  made  of  three  marlingspikes  properly  ar 
ranged,  and  borne  on  the  staff  of  a  half-pike.  Thus 
accoutred,  the  God  of  the  Ocean,  who  was  no  less 
a  personage  than  the  captain  of  the  forecastle,  ad 
vanced,  with  a  suitable  air  of  dignity,  along  the  deck 
attended  by  a  train  of  bearded  water-nymphs  and 
naiades,  in  a  costume  no  less  grotesque  than  his  own. 
Arrived  on  the  quarter-deck,  in  front  of  the  position 
occupied  by  the  officers,  the  principal  personage  sa 
luted  the  groupe  with  a  wave  of  his  sceptre,  and  re 
sumed  the  discourse  as  follows ;  Wilder,  from  the 
continued  abstraction  of  his  Commander,  finding 
himself  under  the  necessity  of  maintaining  one  por 
tion  of  the  dialogue. 

"  A  wholesome  and  prettily-rigged  boat  have  you 
come  out  in  this  time,  my  son ;  and  one  well  filled 
with  a  noble  set  of  my  children.  How  long  might 
it  be  since  you  left  the  land  ?" 

"  Some  eight  days  ago." 

"  Hardly  time  enough  to  give  the  green  ones  the 
use  of  their  sea  legs.  I  shall  be  able  to  find  them,  by 
the  manner  in  which  they  hold  on  in  a  calm."  [Here 
the  General,  who  was  standing  with  a  scornful  and 
averted  eye,  let  go  his  hold  of  a  mizzen-shroud, 
which  he  had  grasped  for  no  other  visible  reason 
than  to  render  his  person  utterly  immoveable  ;  Nep 
tune  smiled,  and  continued.]  "  I  sha'n't  ask  con 
cerning  the  port  you  are  last  from,  seeing  that  the 
Newport  soundings  are  still  hanging  about  the  flukes 
of  your  anchors.  I  hope  you  haven't  brought  out 
many  fresh  hands  with  you,  for  I  smell  the  stock-fish 
aboard  a  Baltic-man,  who  is  coming  down  with  the 
trades,  and  who  canH  be  more  than  a  hundred  leagues 
from  this ;  I  shall  therefore  have  but  little  time  to 


THE    RED    ROVER.  335 

overhaul  your  people,  in  order  to  give  them  their 
papers." 

"  You  see  them  all  before  you.  So  skilful  a  mar 
mer  as  Neptune  needs  no  advice  when  or  how  to 
tell  a  seaman." 

"  I  shall  then  begin  with  this  gentleman,"  contin 
ued  the  waggish  head  of  the  forecastle,  turning  to 
wards  the  still  motionless  chief  of  the  marines. 
'4  There  is  a  strong  look  of  the  land  about  him;  and 
I  should  like  to  know  how  many  hours  it  is  since  he 
first  floated  over  blue  water." 

"  I  believe  he  has  made  many  voyages ;  and  I  dare 
say  has  long  since  paid  the  proper  tribute  to  your 
Majesty." 

"  Well,  well ;  the  thing  is  like  enough,  tho'f  I  will 
say  I  have  known  scholars  make  better  use  of  their 
time,  if  he  has  been  so  long  on  the  water  as  you 
pretend.  How  is  it  with  these  ladies  ?" 

"  Both  have  been  at  sea  before,  and  have  a  right 
to  pass  without  a  question,"  resumed  Wilder,  a  lit 
tle  hastily. 

"  The  youngest  is  comely  enough  to  have  been 
born  in  my  dominions,"  said  the  gallant  Sovereign 
of  the  Sea ;  "  but  no  one  can  refuse  to  answer  a 
hail  that  comes  straight  from  the  mouth  of  Old  Nep 
tune  ;  so,  if  it  makes  no  great  difference  in  your 
Honour's  reckoning,  I  will  just  beg  the  young  wo 
man  to  do  her  own  talking."  Then,  without  paying 
the  least  attention  to  the  angry  glance  that  shot  from 
the  eye  of  Wilder,  the  sturdy  representative  of  the 
God  addressed  himself  directly  to  Gertrude.  "  If, 
as  report  goes  of  you,  my  pretty  damsel,  you  have 
seen  blue  water  before  this  passage,  you  may  be 
able  to  recollect  the  name  of  the  vessel,  and  some 
other  small  particulars  of  the  run  ?" 

The  face  of  our  heroine  changed  its  colour  from 
red  to  pale,  as  rapidly,  and  as  glowingly,  as  the  evening 


336  THE    RED    ROVER. 

sky  flushes,  and  returns  to  its  pearl-like  loveli 
ness  ;  but  she  kept  down  her  feelings  sufficiently  to 
answer,  with  an  air  of  entire  self-possession, — 

"  Were  I  to  enter  into  all  these  little  particulars, 
it  would  detain  you  from  more  worthy  subjects. 
Perhaps  this  certificate  will  convince  you  that  I  am 
no  novice  on  the  sea."  As  she  spoke,  a  guinea  fell 
from  her  white  hand  into  the  broad  and  extended 
palrn  of  her  interrogator. 

"  I  can  only  account  for  my  not  remembering  your 
Ladyship,  by  the  great  extent  and  heavy  nature  of 
my  business,"  returned  the  audacious  freebooter 
bowing  with  an  air  of  rude  politeness  as  he  pocket 
ed  the  offering.  "  Had  I  looked  into  my  books  be 
fore  I  came  aboard  this  here  ship,  I  should  have  seen 
through  the  mistake  at  once  ;  for  I  now  remember 
that  I  ordered  one  of  my  limners  to  take  your  pret 
ty  face,  in  order  that  I  might  show  it  to  my  wife  at 
home.  The  fellow  did  it  well  enough,  in  the  shell 
of  an  East-India  oyster ;  I  will  have  a  copy  set  in 
coral,  and  sent  to  your  husband,  whenever  you  may 
see  fit  to  choose  one." 

Then,  repeating  his  bow,  with  a  scrape  of  the 
foot,  he  turned  to  the  governess,  in  order  to  continue 
his  examination. 

"  And  you,  Madam,"  he  said,  "  is  this  the  first 
time  you  have  ever  come  into  my  dominions,  or 
not?" 

"  Neither  the  first,  nor  the  twentieth  ;  I  have  of 
ten  seen  your  Majesty  before." 

"  An  old  acquaintance  !  In  what  latitude  might  it 
be  that  we  first  fell  in  with  each  other  ?" 

"  I  believe  I  first  enjoyed  that  honour,  quite  thir 
ty  years  since,  under  the  Equator." 

"  Ay,  ay,  I'm  often  there,  looking  out  for  India 
men  and  your  homeward-bound  Brazil  traders, 
boarded  a  particularly  great  number  that  very  sea 
son,  but  can't  say  I  remember  your  countenance." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  337 

"  I  fear  that  thirty  years  have  made  some  changes 
in  it,"  returned  the  governess,  with  a  smile,  which, 
though  mournful,  was  far  too  dignified  in  its  melan 
choly,  to  induce  the  suspicion  that  she  regretted  a 
loss  so  vain  as  that  of  her  personal  charms.  "  I  was 
in  a  vessel  of  the  King,  and  one  that  was  a  little  re 
markable  by  its  size,  since  it  was  of  three  decks." 

The  God  received  the  guinea,  which  was  now  se 
cretly  offered,  but  it  would  seem  that  success  had 
quickened  his  covetousness  ;  for,  instead  of  return 
ing  thanks,  he  rather  appeared  to  manifest  a  disposi 
tion  to  increase  the  amount  of  the  bribe. 

"  All  this  may  be  just  as  your  Ladyship  says,"  he 
rejoined ;  "  but  the  interest  of  my  kingdom,  and  a 
large  family  at  home,  make  it  necessary  that  I  should 
look  sharp  to  my  rights.  Was  there  a  flag  in  the 
vessel  ?" 

"  There  was." 

"  Then,  it  is  likely  they  hoisted  it,  as  usual,  at  the 
end  of  the  jib-boom  ?" 

"  It  was  hoisted,  as  is  usual  with  a  Vice-Admiral, 
at  the  fore." 

"  Well  answered,  for  petticoats  !"  muttered  the 

Deity,  a  little  baffled  in  his  artifice.  "  It  is  d d 

queer,  saving  your  Ladyship's  presence,  that  I  should 
have  forgotten  such  a  ship  :  Was  there  any  thing  of 
the  extraordinary  sort,  that  one  would  be  likely  to 
remember?" 

The  features  of  the  governess  had  already  lost 
their  forced  pleasantry,  in  a  shade  of  grave  reflec 
tion,  and  her  eye  was  evidently  fastened  on  vacancy, 
as  she  answered,  to  all  appearance  like  one  who 
thought,  aloud. — 

"  I  can,  at  this  moment,  see  the  arch  and  roguish 
manner  with  which  that  wayward  boy,  who  then 
had  but  eight  years,  over-reached  the  cunning  of  the 
mimic  Neptune,  and  retaliated  for  his  devices,  by 
turning  the  laugh  of  all  on  board  on  his  own  head  P 


..  ^        THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  Was  he  but  eight  ?"  demanded  a  deep  voice  ai 
her  elbow. 

"  Eight  in  years,  but  maturer  in  artifice,"  returned 
Mrs  Wyllys,  seeming  to  awake  from  a  trance,  as  she 
turned  her  eyes  full  upon  the  face  of  the  Rover. 

"Well,  well,"  interrupted  the  captain  of  the  fore 
castle,  who  cared  not  to  continue  an  inquiry  in  which 
his  dreaded  Commander  saw  fit  to  take  a  part,  "  1 
dare  say  it  is  all  right.  I  will  look  into  my  journal 
if  I  find  it  so,  well — if  not,  why,  it's  only  giving  the 
ship  a  head-wind,  until  I've  overhauled  the  Dane, 
and  then  it  will  be  all  in  good  time  to  receive  the 
balance  of  the  fee." 

So  saying,  the  God  hurried  past  the  officers,  and 
turned  his  attention  to  the  marine  guard,  who  had 
grouped  themselves  in  a  body,  secretly  aware  of  the 
necessity  each  man  might  be  under  of  receiving  sup 
port  from  his  fellows,  in  so  searching  a  scrutiny. 
Perfectly  familiar  with  the  career  each  individual 
among  them  had  run,  in  his  present  lawless  profes 
sion,  and  secretly  apprehensive  that  his  authority 
might  be  forced  suddenly  from  him,  the  chief  of  the 
forecastle  selected  a  raw  landsman  from  among  them, 
bidding  his  attendants  to  drag  the  victim  forward, 
where  he  believed  they  might  act  the  cruel  revels  he 
contemplated  with  less  danger  of  interruption.  Al 
ready  irritated  by  the  laughs  which  had  been  created 
at  their  expense,  and  resolute  to  defend  their  com 
rade,  the  marines  resisted.  A  long,  clamorous,  and 
angry  dispute  succeeded,  during  which  each  party 
maintained  its  right  to  pursue  the  course  it  had 
adopted.  From  words  the  disputants  were  not  long 
in  passing  to  the  signs  of  hostilities.  It  was  while 
the  peace  of  the  ship  hung,  as  it  were,  suspended  by 
a  hair,  that  the  General  saw  fit  to  express  the  disgust 
of  such  an  outrage  upon  discipline,  which  had, 
throughout  the  whole  scene,  possessed  his  mind. 

l*  I  protest  against  this  riotous  and  unmilitary  pro 


THE   RED   ROVER.  339 

cedure,"  he  said,  addressing  himself  lo  his  still  ab 
stracted  and  thoughtful  superior.  "  I  have  taught  my 
men,  I  trust,  the  proper  spirit  of  soldiers,  and  there 
is  no  greater  disgrace  can  happen  to  one  of  them 
than  to  lay  hands  on  him,  except  it  be  in  the  regular 
and  wholesome  way  of  a  cat. — I  give  open  warning 
to  ail,  that,  if  a  finger  is  put  upon  one  of  my  bullies, 
unless,  as  I  have  said,  in  the  way  of  discipline,  it 
will  be  answered  with  a  blow." 

As  the  General  had  not  essayed  to  smother  his 
voice,  it  was  heard  by  his  followers,  and  produced 
the  effect  which  might  have  been  expected.  A  vigor 
ous  thrust  from  the  fist  of  the  sergeant  drew  mortal 
blood  from  the  visage  of  the  God  of  the  Sea,  and  at 
once  established  his  terrestrial  origin.  Thus  com 
pelled  to  support  his  manhood,  in  more  senses  than 
one,  the  stout  seaman  returned  the  salutation,  with 
such  additional  embellishments  as  the  exigencies  of 
the  moment  seemed  to  require.  Such  an  interchange 
of  civilities,  between  two  so  prominent  personages, 
was  the  signal  of  general  hostilities  among  their  re 
spective  followers.  The  uproar  that  attended  the 
onset  had  caught  the  attention  of  Fid,  who,  the  in 
stant  he  saw  the  nature  of  the  sports  below,  aban 
doned  his  companion  on  the  yard,  and  slid  down 
wards  to  the  deck  by  the  aid  of  a  backstay,  with 
about  as  much  facility  as  that  caricature  of  man,  the 
monkey,  could  have  performed  the  same  manoeuvre. 
His  example  was  followed  by  all  the  topmen  ;  and, 
in  less  than  a  minute,  there  was  every  appearance 
that  the  audacious  marines  would  be  borne  down 
by  the  sheer  force  of  numbers.  But,  stout  in  their 
resolution,  and  bitter  in  their  hostility,  these  drilled 
and  resentful  warriors,  instead  of  seeking  refuge  in 
flight,  fell  back  upon  each  other,  for  support.  Bay 
onets  were  seen  gleaming  in  the  sun ;  while  some  of 
the  seamen,  in  the  exterior  of  the  crowd,  were  al 


340  THE   BED   ROVER. 

ready  laying  their  hands  on  the  half-pikes  that  formed 
a  warlike  ornament  to  the  foot  of  the  mast. 

"  Hold !  stand  back,  every  man  of  you !"  cried 
Wilder,  dashing  into  the  centre  of  the  throng,  and 
forcing  them  aside,  with  a  haste  that  was  possibly 
quickened  by  the  recollection  of  the  increased  dan 
ger  that  would  surround  the  unprotected  females, 
should  the  bands  of  subordination  be  once  fairly  bro 
ken  among  so  lawless  and  desperate  a  crew.  "  On 
your  lives,  fall  back,  and  obey.  And  you,  sir,  who 
claim  to  be  so  good  a  soldier,  I  call  on  you  to  bid  your 
men  refrain." 

The  General,  however  disgusted  he  might  have 
been  by  the  previous  scene,  had  too  many  important 
interests  involved  in  the  interior  peace  of  the  ves 
sel,  not  to  exert  himself  at  this  appeal.  He  was 
seconded  by  all  the  inferior  officers,  who  well  knew 
that  their  lives,  as  well  as  their  comfort,  depended 
on  staying  the  torrent  that  had  so  unexpectedly 
broken  loose.  But  they  only  proved  how  hard  it 
is  to  uphold  an  authority  that  is  not  established  on 
the  foundation  of  legitimate  power.  Neptune  had 
cast  aside  his  masquerade;  and,  backed  by  all  his 
stout  fore-castle  men,  was  evidently  preparing  for  a 
conflict  that  might  speedily  give  him  greater  pre 
tensions  to  immortal  nature  than  those  he  had  just 
rejected.  Until  now,  the  officers,  partly  by  threats 
and  partly  by  remonstrances,  had  so  far  controlled 
the  outbreaking,  that  the  time  had  been  passed  rath 
er  in  preparations  than  in  violence.  But  the  marines 
had  seized  their  arms;  while  two  crowded  masses 
of  the  mariners  were  forming  on  either  side  of  the 
mainmast,  abundantly  provided  with  spikes,  and  such 
other  weapons  as  the  bars  and  handspikes  of  the 
vessel  afforded.  One  or  two  of  the  cooler  heads 
among  the  latter  had  even  proceeded  so  far  as  to 
clear  away  a  gun,  which  they  were  pointing  inboard 


THE    RED   ROVER.  341 

and  in  a  direction  that  might  have  swept  a  moiety 
of  the  quarter-deck.  In  short,  the  broil  had  just 
reached  that  pass  when  another  blow,  struck  from 
either  side,  must  have  given  up  the  vessel  to  plunder 
and  massacre.  The  danger  of  such  a  crisis  was 
heightened  by  the  bitter  taunts  that  broke  forth  from 
fifty  profane  lips,  which  were  only  opened  to  lavish 
the  coarsest  revilings  on  the  persons  and  characters 
of  their  respective  enemies. 

During  the  five  minutes  that  might  have  flown  by 
in  such  sinister  and  threatening  symptoms  of  insub 
ordination,  the  individual  who  was  chiefly  interested 
in  the  maintenance  of  discipline  had  manifested  the 
most  extraordinary  indifference,  or  rather  uncon 
sciousness,  to  all  that  was  passing  so  near  him.  With 
his  arms  folded  on  his  breast,  and  his  eyes  fastened 
on  the  placid  sea,  he  stood  motionless  as  the  mast 
near  which  he  had  placed  his  person.  Long  accus 
tomed  to  the  noise  of  scenes  similar  to  the  one  he 
had  himself  provoked,  he  heard,  in  the  confused 
sounds  which  rose  unheeded  on  his  ear,  no  more  than 
the  commotion  which  ordinarily  attended  the  license 
of  the  hour. 

His  subordinates  in  command,  however,  were  far 
more  active.  Wilder  had  already  beaten  back  the 
ooldest  of  the  seamen,  and  a  space  was  cleared  be 
tween  the  hostile  parties,  into  which  his  assistants 
threw  themselves,  with  the  haste  of  men  who  knew 
how  much  was  required  at  their  hands.  This  mo 
mentary  success  might  have  been  pushed  too  far; 
for,  believing  that  the  spirit  of  mutiny  was  subdued, 
our  adventurer  was  proceeding  to  improve  his  ad 
vantage,  by  seizing  the  most  audacious  of  the  offend 
ers,  when  his  prisoner  was  immediately  torn  from 
his  grasp  by  twenty  of  his  confederates. 

"  Who's  this,  that  sets  himself  up  for  a  Commodore 
aboard  the  4  Dolphin  P  "  exclaimed  a  voice  in  thfe 
crowd,  at  a  most  unhappy  moment  for  the  authority 
2F2 


342  THE    RED    ROVER. 

of  the  new  lieutenant.  "In  whit  fashion  did  he 
come  aboard  us  ?  or,  in  what  service  did  he  learn 
his  trade  ?" 

"  Ay,  ay,"  continued  another  sinister  voice, "  where 
is  the  Bristol  trader  he  was  to  lead  into  our  net,  and 
for  which  we  lost  so  many  of  the  best  days  in  the 
season,  at  a  lazy  anchor  ?" 

Then  broke  forth  a  general  and  simultaneous  mur 
mur,  which,  had  such  testimony  been  wanting,  would 
in  itself  have  manifested  that  the  unknown  officer 
was  scarcely  more  fortunate  in  his  present  than  in 
his  recent  service.  Both  parties  united  in  condemn 
ing  his  interference  ;  and  from  both  sides  were  heard 
scornful  opinions  of  his  origin,  mingled  with  certain 
fierce  denunciations  against  his  person.  Nothing 
daunted  by  such  palpable  evidences  of  the  danger 
of  his  situation,  our  adventurer  answered  to  their 
taunts  with  the  most  scornful  smiles,  challenging  a 
single  individual  of  them  all  to  dare  to  step  forth, 
and  maintain  his  words  by  suitable  actions. 

"  Hear  him  !"  exclaimed  his  auditors. — "  He 
speaks  like  a  King's  officer  in  chase  of  a  smuggler  !" 
cried  one. — "  Ay,  he's  a  bold'un  in  a  calm,"  said  a 
second. — "  He's  a  Jonah,  that  has  slipp'd  into  the 
cabin  windows  !"  cried  a  third  ;  "  and,  while  he 
stays  in  the  '  Dolphin,'  luck  will  keep  upon  our  wea 
ther-beam." — "  Into  the  sea  with  him  !  overboard 
with  the  upstart !  into  the  sea  with  him  !  where 
he'll  find  that  a  bolder  and  a  better  man  has  gone  be 
fore  him  !"  shouted  a  dozen  at  once  ;  some  of  whom 
immediately  gave  very  unequivocal  demonstrations 
.of  an  intention  to  put  their  threat  in  execution.  But 
two  forms  instantly  sprang  from  the  crowd,  and 
threw  themselves,  like  angry  lions,  between  Wildei 
and  his  foes.  The  one,  who  was  foremost  in  the 
rescue,  faced  short  upon  the  advancing  seamen,  and, 
with  a  blow  from  an  arm  that  was  irresistible,  level 
led  the  representative  of  Neptune  to  his  feet,  a§ 


THE    RED    ROVER.  843 

though  he  had  heen  a  mere  waxen  image  of  a  man. 
The  other  was  not  slow  to  imitate  his  example ;  and, 
as  the  throng  receded  before  this  secession  from  its 
own  numbers,  the  latter,  who  was  Fid,  flourished  a 
fist  that  was  as  big  as  the  head  of  a  sizeable  infant, 
while  he  loudly  vociferated, — 

"  Away  with  ye,  ye  lubbers !  away  with  ye ! 
Would  you  run  foul  of  a  single  man,  and  he  an  offi 
cer,  and  such  an  officer  as  ye  never  set  eyes  on  be 
fore,  except,  mayhap,  in  the  fashion  that  a  cat  looks 
upon  a  king  ?  I  should  like  to  see  the  man,  among 
ye  all,  who  can  handle  a  heavy  ship,  in  a  narrow 
channel,  as  I  have  seen  master  Harry  here  handle 
the  saucy'1 

"  Stand  back,"  cried  Wilder,  forcing  himself  be 
tween  his  defenders  and  his  foes.  "  Stand  back, 
I  say,  and  leave  me  alone  to  meet  the  audacious  vil 
lains." 

"  Overboard  with  him  !  overboard  with  them  all !" 
cried  the  seamen,  "  he  and  his  knaves  together !" 

"  Will  you  remain  silent,  and  see  murder  done  be 
fore  your  eyes?"  exclaimed  Mrs  Wyllys,  rushing 
from  her  place  of  retreat,  and  laying  a  hand  eagerly 
on  the  arm  of  the  Rover. 

He  started  like  one  who  was  awakened  suddenly 
from  a  light  sleep,  looking  her  full  and  intently  in 
the  eye. 

"  See  !"  she  added,  pointing  to  the  violent  throng 
below,  where  every  sign  of  an  increased  commotion 
was  exhibiting  itself.  "  See,  they  kill  your  officer, 
and  there  is  none  to  help  him  !" 

The  look  of  faded  marble,  which  had  so  long  been 
seated  on  his  features,  vanished,  as  his  eye  passed 
quickly  over  the  scene.  The  organs  took  in  the 
whole  nature  of  the  action  at  the  glance  ;  and,  with 
the  intelligence,  the  blood  came  rushing  into  every 
vein  and  fibre  of  his  indignant  face.  Seizing  a 
rope,  which  hung  from  the  yard  above  his  head,  he 


344  THE    RED    ROVER. 

swung  his  person  off  the  poop,  and  fell  lightly  into 
the  very  centre  of  the  crowd.  Both  parties  fell 
back,  while  a  sudden  and  breathing  silence  succeed 
ed  to  a  clamour  that  a  moment  before  would  have 
drowned  the  roar  of  a  cataract.  Making  a  haughty 
and  repelling  motion  with  his  arm,  he  spoke,  and  in 
a  voice  that,  if  any  change  could  be  noted,  was  eve» 
pitched  on  a  key  less  high  and  threatening  than  com 
mon.  But  the  lowest  and  the  deepest  of  its  intona 
tions  reached  the  most  distant  ear,  and  no  one  who 
heard  was  left  to  doubt  its  meaning. 

"  Mutiny !"  he  said,  in  a  tone  that  strangely  bal 
anced  between  irony  and  scorn  ;  u  open,  violent,  and 
blood-seeking  mutiny  !  Are  ye  tired  of  your  lives, 
my  men  ?  Is  there  one,  among  ye  all,  who  is  willing 
to  make  himself  an  example  for  the  good  of  the 
rest  ?  If  there  be,  let  him  lift  a  hand,  a  finger,  a 
hair  :  Let  him  speak,  look  me  in  the  eye,  or  dare  to 
show  that  life  is  in  him,  by  sign,  breath,  or  motion!" 

He  paused  ;  and  so  general  and  absorbing  was  the 
spell  produced  by  his  presence  and  his  mien,  that, 
in  all  that  crowd  of  fierce  and  excited  spirits,  there 
was  not  one  so  bold  as  to  presume  to  brave  his  an 
ger.  Sailors  and  marines  stood  alike,  passive,  hum 
bled,  and  obedient,  as  faulty  children,  when  arraign 
ed  before  an  authority  from  which  they  feel,  in  eve 
ry  fibre,  that  escape  is  impossible.  Perceiving  that 
no  voice  answered,  no  limb  moved,  nor  even  an  eye 
among  them  all  was  bold  enough  to  meet  his  own 
steady  but  glowing  look,  he  continued,  in  the  same 
deep  and  commanding  tone, — 

"  It  is  well :  Reason  has  come  of  the  latest ;  but, 
happily  for  ye  all,  it  has  returned  Fall  back,  fall 
back,  I  say ;  you  taint  the  quarter-deck." — The  men 
receded  a  pace  or  two  on  every  side  of  him. — "  Let 
those  arms  be  stacked ;  it  will  be  time  to  use  them 
when  I  proclaim  the  need.  And  you,  fellows,  who 
have  been  so  bold  as  to  lift  a  pike  without  an  order, 


THE    RED    ROVER.  "345 

have  a  care  they  do  not  burn  your  hands."— A  doz 
en  staves  fell  upon  the  deck  together. — -"  Is  there  a 
drummer  in  this  ship  ?  let  him  appear !" 

A  terrified  and  cringing-looking  being  presented 
himself,  having  found  his  instrument  by  a  sort  of 
desperate  instinct. 

"  Now  speak  aloud,  and  let  me  know  at  once 
whether  I  command  a  crew  of  orderly  and  obedient 
men,  or  a  set  of  miscreants,  that  require  some  puri 
fying  before  I  trust  them." 

The  first  few  taps  of  the  drum  sufficed  to  tell  the 
men  they  heard  the  "  beat  to  quarters."  Without  hes 
itating  a  reluctant  moment,  the  crowd  dissolved,  and 
each  of  the  delinquents  stole  silently  to  his  station ; 
the  crew  of  the  gun  that  had  been  turned  inward 
managing  to  thrust  it  through  its  port  again,  with  a 
dexterity  that  might  have  availed  them  greatly  in 
time  of  combat.  Throughout  the  whole  affair,  the 
Rover  had  manifested  neither  anger  nor  impatience. 
Deep  and  settled  scorn,  with  a  high  reliance  on  him 
self,  had,  indeed,  been  exhibited  in  the  proud  curl 
of  his  lip,  and  in  the  swelling  of  his  form,  but  not, 
for  an  instant,  did  it  seem  that  he  had  suffered  his 
ire  to  get  the  mastery  of  his  reason.  And,  now  that 
he  had  recalled  his  crew  to  their  duty,  he  appeared 
no  more  elated  with  his  success  than  he  had  been 
daunted  by  the  storm  which,  a  minute  before,  had 
threatened  the  utter  dissolution  of  his  authority.  In 
stead  of  pursuing  his  further  purpose  in  haste,  he 
awaited  the  observance  of  the  minutest  form  which 
etiquette,  as  well  as  use,  had  rendered  customary  on 
such  occasions. 

The  officers  approached,  and  reported  their  seve 
ral  divisions  in  readiness  to  engage,  with  exactly  the 
same  regularity  as  if  an  enemy  had  been  in  sight. 
The  topmen  and  sail-trimmers  were  enumerated, 
and  found  prepared ;  shot-plugs  and  stoppers  were 
handled :  the  magazine  was  even  opened ;  the  arm 


346  THE    RED    ROVER. 

chests  emptied  of  their  contents ;  and,  in  short,  far 
more  than  the  ordinary  preparations  of  an  every  day 
exercise  was  observed. 

"  Let  the  yards  be  slung ;  the  sheets  and  halyards 
stoppered,"  he  said  to  the  first  lieutenant,  who  now 
displayed  as  intimate  an  acquaintance  with  the  mill 
tary  as  he  had  hitherto  discovered  with  the  nautical 
part  of  his  profession ;  "  Give  the  boarders  their 
pikes  and  boarding-axes,  sir;  we  will  now  show  these 
fellows  that  we  dare  to  trust  them  with  arms !" 

These  several  orders  were  obeyed  to  the  letter ; 
and  then  succeeded  that  deep  and  grave  silence 
which  renders  a  crew,  at  quarters,  a  sight  so  impos 
ing,  even  to  those  who  have  witnessed  it  from  their 
boyhood.  In  this  manner,  the  skilful  leader  of  this 
band  of  desperate  marauders  knew  how  to  curb 
their  violence  with  the  fetters  of  discipline.  When 
he  believed  their  minds  brought  within  the  pro 
per  limits,  by  the  situation  of  restraint  in  which 
he  had  placed  them,  where  they  well  knew  that  a 
word,  or  even  a  look,  of  offence  would  be  met  by  an 
instant  as  well  as  an  awful  punishment,  he  walked 
apart  with  Wilder,  of  whom  he  demanded  an  expla 
nation  of  what  had  passed. 

Whatever  might  have  been  the  natural  tendency 
of  our  adventurer  to  mercy,  he  had  not  been  educa 
ted  on  the  sea  to  look  with  lenity  on  the  crime  of 
mutiny.  Had  his  recent  escape  from  the  wreck  of 
the  Bristol  trader  been  already  banished  from  his 
mind,  the  impressions  of  a  whole  life  still  remained 
to  teach  the  necessity  of  keeping  tight  those  cords 
which  experience  has  so  often  proved  are  absolutely 
necessary  to  quell  such  turbulent  bands,  when  re 
moved  from  the  pale  of  society,  the  influence  of 
woman,  and  when  excited  by  the  constant  collision 
of  tempers  rudely  provoked,  and  equally  disposed 
to  violence  Though  he  "set  down  naught  in 
malice,"  it  is  certain  that  he  did  "  nothing  extenuate,' 


THE    RED    ROVER.  347 

in  the  account  he  rendered.  The  whole  of  the  facts 
were  laid  before  the  Rover  in  the  direct,  unvarnish 
ed  language  of  truth. 

"  One  cannot  keep  these  fellows  to  their  duty  by 
preaching,"  returned  the  irregular  chief,  when  the 
other  had  done.  "  We  have  no  '  Execution  Dock 
for  our  delinquents,  no  '  yellow  flag'  for  fleets  to  gaze 
at,  no  grave  and  wise-looking  courts  to  thumb  a  book 
or  two,  and  end  by  saying,  4  Hang  him.' — The  ras 
cals  knew  my  eye  was  off  them.  Once  before,  they 
turned  my  vessel  into  a  living  evidence  of  that  pas 
sage  in  the  Testament  which  teaches  humility  to  all, 
by  telling  us, '  that  the  last  shall  be  first,  and  the  first 
last.'  1  found  a  dozen  roundabouts  drinking  and 
making  free  with  the  liquors  of  the  cabin,  and  all 
the  officers  prisoners  forward — a  state  of  things,  as 
you  will  allow,  a  little  subversive  of  decency  as 
well  as  decorum !" 

"  I  am  amazed  you  should  have  succeeded  in  re 
storing  discipline  !" 

"  I  got  among  them  single-handed,  and  with  no 
other  aid  than  a  boat  from  the  shore  ;  but  I  ask  no 
more  than  a  place  for  my  foot,  and  room  for  an 
arm,  to  keep  a  thousand  such  spirits  in  order.  Now 
they  know  me,  it  is  rare  we  misunderstand  each 
other." 

"  You  must  have  punished  severely !" 

"  There  was  justice  done. — Mr  Wilder,  I  fear  you 
find  our  service  a  little  irregular ;  but  a  month  of  ex 
perience  will  put  you  on  a  level  with  us,  and  remove 
all  danger  of  such  another  scene."  As  the  Rover 
spoke,  he  faced  his  recruit,  with  a  countenance  that 
endeavoured  to  be  cheerful,  but  whose  gaiety  could 
force  itself  no  further  than  a  frightful  smile.  "  Come," 
he  quickly  added,  "this  time,  I  set  the  mischief 
afoot  myself;  and,  as  you  see  we  are  completely 
masters,  we  may  afford  to  be  lenient.  Besides,"  he 
continued,  glancing  his  eyes  towards  the  place  wher* 


348 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


Mrs  Wyllys  and  Gertrude  still  remained  in  deep  sus 
pense,  awaiting  his  decision,  "  it  maybe  well  to  con 
suit  the  sex  of  our  guests  at  such  a  moment." 

Then,  leaving  h  s  subordinate,  the  Rover  advanc 
ed  to  the  centre  of  the  quarter-deck,  whither  he  im 
mediately  summoned  the  principal  offenders.  The 
men  listened  to  his  rebukes,  which  were  not  alto 
gether  free  from  admonitory  warnings  of  what  might 
be  the  consequences  of  a  similar  transgression,  like 
creatures  who  stood  in  presence  of  a  being  of  a  na 
ture  superior  to  their  own.  Though  he  spoke  in  his 
usual  quiet  tone,  the  lowest  of  his  syllables  went 
into  the  ears  of  the  most  distant  of  the  crew  ;  and, 
when  his  brief  lesson  was  ended,  the  men  stood  be 
fore  him  not  only  like  delinquents  who  had  been  re 
proved  though  pardoned,  but  with  the  air  of  crimi 
nals  who  were  as  much  condemned  by  their  own 
consciousness  as  by  the  general  voice.  Among  them 
all  was  only  one  seaman  who,  perhaps  from  past  ser 
vice,  was  emboldened  to  venture  a  syllable  in  his 
own  justification. 

"  As  for  the  matter  with  the  marines,"  he  said 
"your  Honour  knows  there  is  little  love  between  us, 
though  certain  it  is  a  quarter-deck  is  no  place  to  set 
tle  our  begrudgings ;  but,  as  to  the  gentleman  who 
has  seen  fit  to  step  into  the  shoes  of" 

"  It  is  my  pleasure  that  he  should  remain  there," 
hastily  interrupted  his  Commander.  "  Of  his  merit 
I  alone  can  judge." 

"  Well,  well,  since  it  is  your  pleasure,  sir,  why, 
no  man  can  dispute  it.  But  no  account  has  been 
rendered  of  the  Bristol-man,  and  great  expectations 
were  had  aboard  here  from  that  very  ship.  Your 
Honour  is  a  reasonable  gentleman,  and  will  not  be 
surprised  that  people,  who  are  on  the  look-out  for 
an  outward-bound  West-Indiaman,  should  be  unwil 
ling  to  take  up  with  a  battered  and  empty  launch,  in 
her  stead." 


THE    RED    ROVER  349 

"  Ay,  sir,  if  I  will  it,  you  shall  take  an  oar,  a  til 
ler,  a  thole,  for  your  portion.  No  more  of  this ! 
You  saw  the  condition  of  his  ship  with  your  own 
eyes  ;  and  where  is  the  seaman  who  has  not,  on 
some  evil  day,  been  compelled  to  admit  that  his  art 
is  nothing,  when  the  elements  are  against  him  ?  Who 
saved  this  ship,  in  the  very  gust  that  has  robbed  us 
of  our  prize  ?  Was  it  your  skill  ?  or  was  it  that  of  a 
man  who  has  often  done  it  before,  and  who  may  one 
day  leave  you  to  your  ignorance  to  manage  your  own 
interests  ?  It  is  enough  that  I  believe  him  faithful. 
There  is  no  time  to  convince  your  dulness  of  the 
propriety  of  all  that's  done.  Away,  and  send  me 
the  two  men  who  so  nobly  stepped  between  their 
officer  and  mutiny.'" 

Then  came  Fid,  followed  by  the  negro,  rolling 
along  the  deck,  and  thumbing  his  hat  with  one  hand, 
while  the  other  sought  an  awkward  retreat  in  a  part 
of  his  vestments. 

"You  have  done  well,  my  lad;  you  and  your 
messmate" 

"  No  messmate,  your  Honour,  seeing  that  he  is  a 
nigger,"  interrupted  Fid.  "  The  chap  messes  with 
the  other  blacks,  but  we  take  a  pull  at  the  can,  now 
and  then,  in  company." 

"  Your  friend,  then,  if  you  prefer  that  term." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir ;  we  are  friendly  enough  at  odd  times, 
though  a  breeze  often  springs  up  between  us.  Guinea 

has  a  d d  awkward  fashion  of  luffing  up  in  his 

talk ;  and  your  Honour  knows  it  isn't  always  com 
fortable  to  a  white  man  to  be  driven  to  leeward  by 
a  black.  I  tell  him  it  is  inconvenient.  He  is  a  good 
enough  fellow  in  the  main,  howsomever,  sir ;  and, 
as  he  is  just  an  African  bred  and  born,  I  hope  you'll 
be  good  enough  to  overlook  his  little  failings." 

"  Were  I  otherwise  disposed,"  returned  the  Rover, 
M  his  steadiness  and  activity  to-day  would  plead  in 
his  favour." 

2G 


350  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  Yes,  yes,  sir,  he  is  somewhat  tteady,  which  is 
more  than  I  can  always  say  in  my  own  behalf.  Then, 
as  for  seamanship,  there  are  few  men  who  are  his 
betters  ;  I  wish  your  Honour  would  take  the  trouble 
to  walk  forward,  and  look  at  the  heart  he  turned  in 
the  mainstay,  no  later  than  the  last  calm ;  it  takes 
the  strain  as  easy  as  a  small  sin  sits  upon  a  rich 
man's  conscience." 

"  I  am  satisfied  with  your  description ;  you  call 
him  Guinea  ?" 

"  Call  him  by  any  thing  along  that  coast ;  for  he  is 
noway  particular,  seeing  he  was  never  christened, 
and  knows  nothing  at  all  of  the  bearings  and  dis 
tances  of  religion.  His  lawful  name  is  S'ip,  or  Shipio 
Africa,  taken,  as  I  suppose,  from  the  circumstance 
that  he  was  first  shipp'd  from  that  quarter  of  the 
world.  But,  as  respects  names,  the  fellow  is  as  meek 
as  a  lamb  ;  you  may  call  him  any  thing,  provided  you 
don't  call  him  too  late  to  his  grog." 

All  this  time,  the  African  stood,  rolling  his  large 
dark  eyes  in  every  direction  except  towards  the 
speakers,  perfectly  content  that  his  long-tried  ship 
mate  should  serve  as  his  interpreter.  The  spirit 
which  had,  so  recently,  been  awakened  in  the  Rover 
seemed  already  to  be  subsiding;  for  the  haughty 
frown,  which  had  gathered  on  his  brow,  was  dissi 
pating  in  a  look  which  bore  rather  the  character  of 
curiosity  than  any  fiercer  emotion. 

"  You  have  sailed  long  in  company,  my  lads,"  he 
carelessly  continued,  addressing  his  words  to  neither 
of  them  in  particular. 

"  Full  and  by,  in  many  a  gale,  and  many  a  calm, 
your  Honour.  'Tis  four-and-twenty  years  the  last 
equinox,  Guinea,  since  master  Harry  fell  across  our 
hawse  ;  and,  then,  we  had  been  together  three  years 
in  the  '  Thunderer,'  besides  the  run  we  made  Tound 
the  Horn,  in  the  *  Bay'  privateer." 

44  Ah  !  you  have  been  four-and-twenty  years  with 


THE    RED    ROVER.  351 

Mr  Wilder  ?  It  is  not  so  remarkable  that  you  should 
set  a  value  on  his  life." 

"  I  should  as  soon  think  of  setting  a  price  on  the 
King's  crown!"  interrupted  the  straight-going  sea 
man.  "  I  overheard  the  lads,  d'ye  see,  sir,  just  plot 
ting  to  throw  the  three  of  us  overboard,  and  so  we 
thought  it  time  to  say  something  in  our  own  favour ; 
and,  words  not  always  being  at  hand,  the  black  saw 
fit  to  fill  up  the  time  with  something  that  might  an 
swer  the  turn  quite  as  well.  No,  no,  he  is  no  great 
talker,  that  Guinea  ;  nor,  for  that  matter,  can  I  say 
much  in  my  own  favour  in  this  particular ;  but,  see 
ing  that  we  clapp'd  a  stopper  on  their  movements, 
your  Honour  will  allow  that  we  did  as  well  as  if  we 
had  spoken  as  smartly  as  a  young  midshipman  fresh 
from  college,  who  is  always  for  hailing  a  top  in 
Latin,  you  know,  sir,  for  want  of  understanding  the 
proper  language." 

The  Rover  smiled,  and  he  glanced  his  eye  aside, 
apparently  in  quest  of  the  form  of  our  adventurer. 
Not  seeing  him  at  hand,  he  was  tempted  to  push  his 
covert  inquiries  a  little  further,  though  too  much 
governed,  by  self-respect,  to  let  the  intense  curiosity 
by  which  he  was  influenced  escape  him  in  any  di 
rect  and  manifest  interrogation.  But  an  instant's  re 
collection  recalled  him  to  himself,  and  he  discarded 
the  idea  as  unworthy  of  his  character. 

"  Your  services  shall  not  be  forgotten.  Here  is 
gold,"  he  said,  offering  a  handful  of  the  metal  to  the 
negro,  as  the  one  nearest  his  own  person.  "  You 
will  divide  it,  like  honest  shipmates  ;  and  you  may 
ever  rely  on  my  protection." 

Scipio  drew  back,  and,  with  a  motion  of  his  el 
bow,  replied, — 

"  His  Honour  will  give  'em  masser  Harry." 

"  Your  master  Harry  has  it  of  his  own,  lad ;  he 
has  no  need  of  money." 

"A  S'ip  no  need  'em  eider." 


352  THE   RED   ROVER. 

"  You  will  please  to  overlook  the  fellow's  man 
ners,  sir,"  said  Fid,  very  coolly  interposing  his  own 
hand,  and  just  as  deliberately  pocketing  the  offering 
"  but  I  needn't  tell  as  old  a  seaman  as  your  Honour, 
that  Guinea  is  no  country  to  scrape  down  the  seams 
of  a  man's  behaviour  in.  Howsomever,  I  can  say 
this  much  for  him,  which  is,  that  he  thanks  your 
Honour  just  as  heartily  as  if  you  had  given  him  twice 
the  sum.  Make  a  bow  to  his  Honour,  boy,  and  do 
some  credit  to  the  company  you  have  kept.  And 
now,  since  this  little  difficulty  about  the  money  is 
gotten  over,  by  my  presence  of  mind,  with  youi 
Honour's  leave,  I'll  just  step  aloft,  and  cast  loose 
the  lashings  of  that  bit  of  a  tailor  on  the  Iarboar6 
fore-yard-arm.  The  chap  was  never  made  for  a  top- 
man,  as  you  may  see,  sir,  by  the  fashion  in  which  he 
crosses  his  lower  stanchions.  That  fellow  will  make 
a  carrick  bend  with  his  legs  as  easily  as  I  could  do 
the  same  with  a  yarn  of  white  line  !" 

The  Rover  signed  for  him  to  retire  ;  and,  tuniing 
w^ere  he  stood,  he  found  himself  confronted  by 
Wilder.  The  eyes  of  the  confederates  met ;  and  a 
slight  colour  bespoke  the  consciousness  of  the  for 
mer.  Regaining  his  self-possession  on  the  instant, 
however,  he  smilingly  alluded  to  the  character  of 
Fid ;  and  then,  with  an  air  of  authority,  he  directed 
his  lieutenant  to  have  the  "retreat  from  quarters" 
beat. 

The  guns  were  secured,  the  stoppers  loosened, 
the  magazine  closed,  the  ports  lashed,  and  the  crew 
withdrew  to  their  several  ordinary  duties,  like  men 
whose  violence  had  been  completely  subdued  by  the 
triumphant  influence  of  a  master  spirit.  The  Rovel 
then  disappeared  from  the  deck,  which,  for  a  time 
was  left  to  the  care  of  an  officer  of  the  proper  sta 
tion. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  353 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THIEF.    **  'Tis  in  the  malice  of  mankind,  that  he  thus  advises  ua 
oot  to  have  us  thrive  in  our  mystery." — Timon  of  Athens. 

THROUGHOUT  the  whole  of  that  day,  no  change 
occurred  in  the  weather.  The  sleeping  ocean  lay 
like  a  waving  and  glittering  mirror,  smooth  and  pol 
ished  on  its  surface,  though,  as  usual,  the  long  rising 
and  falling  of  a  heavy  ground-swell  announced  the 
commotion  that  was  in  action  within  some  distant 
horizon.  From  the  time  that  he  left  the  deck,  until 
the  sun  laved  its  burnished  orb  in  the  sea,  the  indi 
vidual,  who  so  well  knew  how  to  keep  alive  his  au 
thority  among  the  untamed  tempers  that  he  governed, 
was  seen  no  more.  Satisfied  with  his  victory,  he  no 
longer  seemed  to  apprehend  that  it  was  possible  any 
should  be  bold  enough  to  dare  to  plot  the  overthrow 
of  his  power.  This  apparent  confidence  in  himself 
did  not  fail  to  impress  his  people  favourably.  As  no 
neglect  of  duty  was  overlooked,  nor  any  offence  left 
to  go  unpunished,  an  eye,  that  was  not  seen,  was  be 
lieved  by  the  crew  to  be  ever  on  them,  and  an  invisi 
ble  hand  was  thought  to  be  at  all  times  uplifted,  ready 
to  strike  or  to  reward.  It  was  by  a  similar  system 
of  energy  in  moments  of  need,  and  of  forbearance 
when  authority  was  irksome,  that  this  extraordinary 
man  had  so  long  succeeded,  as  well  in  keeping  down 
domestic  treason,  as  in  eluding  the  utmost  address 
and  industry  of  his  open  enemies. 

When  the  watch  was  set  for  the  night,  however, 
and  the  ship  lay  in  the  customary  silence  of  the  hour, 
the  form  of  the  Rover  was  again  seen  walking  swiftly 
to  and  fro  across  the  poop,  of  which  he  was  now  the 
solitary  occupant.  The  vessel  had  drifted  in  the 
stream  of  the  Gulf  so  far  to  the  northward,  that  the 
little  mound  of  blue  had  long  sunk  below  the  edge 
2  G2 


354  THE  RED    ROVER. 

of  the  ocean ;  and  she  was  again  surrounded,  so  far 
as  human  eye  might  see,  by  an  interminable  world 
of  water.  As  not  a  breath  of  air  was  stirring,  the 
sails  had  been  handed,  the  tall  and  naked  spars  rear 
ing  themselves,  in  the  gloom  of  the  evening,  like 
those  of  a  ship  which  rested  at  her  anchors.  In  short, 
it  was  one  of  those  hours  of  entire  repose  that  the 
elements  occasionally  grant  to  such  adventurers  as 
trust  their  fortunes  to  the  capricious  government  of 
the  treacherous  and  unstable  winds. 

Even  the  men,  whose  duty  it  was  to  be  on  the  alert, 
were  emboldened,  by  the  general  tranquillity,  to  be 
come  careless  on  their  watch,  and  to  cast  their  per 
sons  between  the  guns,  or  on  different  portions  of  the 
vessel,  seeking  that  rest  which  the  forms  of  discipline 
and  good  order  prohibited  them  from  enjoying  in 
their  hammocks.  Here  and  there,  indeed,  the  head 
of  a  drowsy  officer  was  seen  nodding  with  the  lazy 
heaving  of  the  ship,  as  he  leaned  against  the  bulwarks, 
or  rested  his  person  on  the  carriage  of  some  gun  that 
was  placed  beyond  the  sacred  limits  of  the  quarter 
deck.  One  form  alone  stood  erect,  vigilant,  and  evi 
dently  maintaining  a  watchful  eye  over  the  whole : 
This  was  Wilder,  whose  turn  to  keep  the  deck  had 
again  arrived,  in  the  regular  division  of  the  service 
of  the  officers. 

For  two  hours,  not  the  slightest  communication 
occurred  between  the  Rover  and  his  lieutenant. 
Both  rather  avoided  than  sought  the  intercourse ;  for 
each  had  his  own  secret  sources  of  serious  meditation 
At  the  end  of  that  period  of  silence,  the  former  stop 
ped  short  in  his  walk,  and  looked  long  and  steadily 
at  the  still  motionless  figure  on  the  deck  beneath  him. 

"  Mr  Wilder,"  he  at  length  said,  "  the  air  is  fresher 
on  this  poop,  and  more  free  from  the  impurities  of 
the  vessel :  Will  you  ascend  ?" 

The  other  complied;    and,  for  several  minutes 
they  walked  silently,  and  with  even  steps  togethei 


THE    RED   ROVER.  355 

as  seamen  are  wont  to  move  in  the  hours  of  deep 
night. 

"  We  had  a  troublesome  morning,  Wilder,"  the 
Rover  resumed,  unconsciously  betraying  the  subject 
of  his  thoughts,  and  speaking  always  in  a  voice  so 
guarded,  that  no  ears,  but  his  to  whom  he  addressed 
himself,  might  embrace  the  sound :  "  Were  you  ever 
go  near  that  pretty  precipice,  a  mutiny,  before  ?" 

"  The  man  who  is  hit  is  nigher  to  danger  than  he 
who  feels  the  wind  of  the  ball." 

"  Ah !  you  have  then  been  bearded  in  your  ship  ! 
Give  yourself  no  uneasiness  on  account  of  the  per 
sonal  animosity  which  a  few  of  the  fellows  saw  fit 
to  manifest  against  yourself.  I  am  acquainted  with 
their  most  secret  thoughts,  as  you  shall  shortly  know." 

"  I  confess,  that,  in  your  place,  I  should  sleep  on  a 
thorny  pillow,  with  such  evidences  of  the  temper  of 
my  men  before  my  mind.  A  few  hours  of  disorder 
might  deliver  the  vessel,  on  any  day,  into  the  hands 
of  the  Government,  and  your  own  life  to  " 

"  The  executioner !  And  why  not  yours  ?"  demand 
ed  the  Rover,  so  quickly,  as  to  give,  in  a  slight  de 
gree,  an  air  of  distrust  to  his  manner.  "  But  the  eye 
that  has  often  seen  battles  seldom  winks.  Mine  has 
too  often,  and  too  steadily,  looked  danger  in  the  face, 
to  be  alarmed  at  the  sight  of  a  King's  pennant.  Be 
sides,  it  is  not  usual  for  us  to  be  much  on  this  ticklish 
coast ;  the  islands,  and  the  Spanish  Main,  are  less 
dangerous  cruising  grounds." 

"  And  yet  have  you  ventured  here  at  a  time  when 
success  against  the  enemy  has  given  the  Admiral  leis 
ure  to  employ  a  powerful  force  in  your  pursuit." 

"  I  had  a  reason  for  it.  It  is  not  always  easy  to 
separate  the  Commander  from  the  man.  If  I  have 
temporarily  forgotten  the  obligations  of  the  former, 
in  the  wishes  of  the  latter,  so  far,  at  least,  harm  has 
not  come  of  it.  I  may  have  tired  of  chasing  your  in 
dolent  Don,  and  of  driving  guarda  costas  into  port 


356  THE    RED    ROVER. 

This  life  of  ours  is  full  of  excitement  which  I  love 
to  me,  there  is  interest  even  in  a  mutiny  !" 

"  I  like  not  treason.  In  this  particular,  I  confess 
myself  like  the  boor  who  loses  his  resolution  in  the 
dark.  While  the  enemy  is  in  view,  I  hope  you  will 
find  me  true  as  other  men ;  but  sleeping  over  a  mine 
is  not  an  amusement  to  my  taste." 

"  So  much  for  want  of  practice  !  Hazard  is  haz 
ard,  come  in  what  shape  it  may;  and  the  human 
mind  can  as  readily  be  taught  to  be  indifferent  to  se 
cret  machinations  as  to  open  risk.  Hush  !  Struck 
the  bell  six,  or  seven  ?" 

"  Seven.  You  see  the  men  slumber,  as  before.  In 
stinct  would  wake  them,  were  their  hour  at  hand." 

"  'Tis  well.  I  feared  the  time  had  passed.  Yes, 
Wilder,  I  love  suspense ;  it  keeps  the  faculties  from 
dying,  and  throws  a  man  upon  the  better  principles 
of  his  nature.  Perhaps  I  owe  it  to  a  Wayward  spirit, 
but,  to  me,  there  is  enjoyment  in  an  adverse  wind." 

"  And,  in  a  calm  ?" 

"Calms  may  have  their  charms  for  your  quiet 
spirits  ;  but  in  them  there  is  nothing  to  be  overcome. 
One  cannot  stir  the  elements,  though  one  may  coun 
teract  their  workings." 

"  You  have  not  entered  on  this  trade  of  yours  "— 

"  Yours !" 

"  I  might,  now,  have  said  c  of  ours,'  since  I  too 
have  become  a  Rover." 

"You  are  still  in  your  noviciate,"  resumed  the 
other,  whose  quick  mind  had  already  passed  the  point 
at  which  the  conversation  had  arrived ;  "  and  high 
enjoyment  had  I  in  being  the  one  who  shrived  you  in 
your  wishes.  You  manifested  a  skill  in  playing  round 
your  subject,  without  touching  it,  which  gives  me 
hopes  of  an  apt  scholar." 

"  But  no  penitent,  I  trust." 

"  That  as  it  may  be ;  we  are  all  liable  to  our  mo 
ments  of  weakness,  when  we  look  on  life  as  book 


THE  RED    ROVER.  357 

men  paint  it,  and  think  of  being  probationers  where 
we  are  put  to  enjoy.  Yes,  I  angled  for  you  as  the 
fisherman  plays  with  the  trout.  Nor  did  I  overlook 
the  danger  of  deception.  You  were  faithful  on  the 
whole  ;  though  I  protest  against  your  ever  again  act 
ing  so  much  against  my  interests  as  to  intrigue  tp  keep 
the  game  from  coming  to  my  net." 

"When,  and  how,  have  I  done  this?  You  have 
yourself  admitted  " 

"  That  the  4  Royal  Caroline'  was  prettily  handled, 
and  wrecked  by  the  will  of  Heaven.  I  speak  of 
nobler  quarries,  now,  than  such  as  any  hawk  may  fly 
at.  Are  you  a  woman-hater,  that  you  would  fain 
have  frightened  the  noble-minded  woman,  and  the 
sweet  girl,  who  are  beneath  our  feet  at  this  minute, 
from  enjoying  the  high  privilege  of  your  company?" 

"  Was  it  treacherous,  to  wish  to  save  a  woman  from 
a  fate  like  that,  for  instance,  which  hung  over  them 
both  this  very  day  ?  For,  while  your  authority  exists 
in  this  ship,  I  do  not  think  there  can  be  danger,  even 
to  her  who  is  so  lovely." 

"  By  heavens,  Wilder,  you  do  me  no  more  than 
justice.  Before  harm  should  come  to  that  fair  inno 
cent,  with  this  hand  would  1  put  the  match  into  the 
magazine,  and  send  her,  all  spotless  as  she  is,  to  the 
place  from  which  she  seems  to  have  fallen." 

Our  adventurer  listened  greedily  to  these  words, 
though  he  little  liked  the  strong  language  of  admira 
tion  with  which  the  Rover  was  pleased  to  clothe  his 
generous  sentiment. 

'*  How  knew  you  of  my  wish  to  serve  them  ?"  he 
demanded,  after  a  pause,  which  neither  seemed  in 
any  hurry  to  break. 

"  Could  I  mistake  your  language  ?  I  thought  it 
plain  enough  when  spoken." 

"  Spoken  !"  exclaimed  Wilder,  in  surprise.  "Per 
haps  part  of  my  confession  was  then  made  when  I 
least  believed  it." 


358 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


The  Rover  did  not  answer ;  but  his  companion 
saw,  by  the  meaning  smile  which  played  about  his 
lip,  that  he  had  been  the  dupe  of  an  audacious  and 
completely  successful  masquerade.  Startled,  perhaps 
at  discovering  how  intricate  were  the  toils  into 
which  he  had  rushed,  and  possibly  vexed  at  being  so 
thoroughly  over-reached,  he  made  several  turns 
across  the  deck  before  he  again  spoke. 

"I  confess  myself  deceived,"  he  at  length  said, 
"  and  henceforth  I  shall  submit  to  you  as  a  master 
from  whom  one  may  learn,  but  who  can  never  be 
surpassed.  The  landlord  of  the  '  Foul  Anchor,'  at 
least,  acted  in  his  proper  person,  whoever  might  have 
been  the  aged  seaman  ?" 

u  Honest  Joe  Joram  !  An  useful  man  to  a  distress 
ed  mariner,  you  must  allow.  How  liked  you  the 
Newport  pilot  ?" 

"  Was  he  an  agent  too  ?" 

"  For  the  job  merely.  I  trust  such  knaves  no  fur 
ther  than  their  own  eyes  can  see.  But,  hist !  Heard 
you  nothing  ?" 

"  I  thought  a  rope  had  fallen  in  the  water." 

"  Ay,  it  is  so.  Now  you  shall  find  how  thoroughly 
I  overlook  these  turbulent  gentlemen." 

The  Rover  then  cut  short  the  dialogue,  which  was 
growing  deeply  interesting  to  his  companion,  and 
moved,  with  a  light  step,  to  the  stern,  over  which  he 
hung,  for  a  few  moments,  by  himself,  like  a  man  who 
found  a  pleasure  in  gazing  at  the  dark  surface  of  the 
sea.  But  a  slight  noise,  like  that  produced  by  agitated 
ropes,  caught  the  ear  of  his  companion,  who  instant 
ly  placed  himself  at  the  side  of  his  Commander, 
where  he  did  not  wait  long  without  gaining  another 
proof  of  the  manner  in  which  he,  as  well  as  all  the 
rest  of  the  crew,  were  circumvented  by  the  devices 
of  their  leader. 

A  man  was  guardedly,  and,  from  his  situation,  with 
so*ne  difficulty,  moving  round  the  quarter  of  the  ship 


THE    RED    TROVEft.  359 

by  the  aid  of  the  ropes  and  mouldings,  which  afford 
ed  him  sufficient  means  to  effect  his  object.  He, 
however,  soon  reached  a  stern  ladder,  where  he 
stood  suspended,  and  evidently  endeavouring  to  dis 
cern  which  of  the  two  forms,  that  were  overlooking 
his  proceedings,  was  that  of  the  individual  he  sought. 

"  Are  you  there,  Davis  ?"  said  the  Rover,  in  a 
voice  but  little  above  a  whisper,  first  laying  his  hand 
lightly  on  Wilder,  as  though  he  would  tell  him  to 
attend.  "  1  fear  you  have  been  seen  or  heard." 

"  No  fear  of  that,  your  Honour.  I  got  out  at  the 
port  by  the  cabin  bulkhead ;  and  the  after-guard  are 
all  as  sound  asleep  as  if  they  had  the  watch  below." 

"  It  is  well.  What  news  bring  you  from  the 
people  ?" 

"  Lord !  your  Honour  may  tell  them  to  go  to 
church,  and  the  stoutest  sea-dog  of  them  all  wouldn't 
dare  to  say  he  had  forgotten  his  prayers." 

"  You  think  them  in  a  better  temper  than  they 
were  ?" 

"  I  know  it,  sir :  Not  but  what  the  will  to  work 
mischief  is  to  be  found  in  two  or  three  of  the  men  ; 
but  they  dare  not  trust  each  other.  Your  Honour 
has  such  winning  ways  with  you,  that  one  never 
knows  when  he  is  on  safe  grounds  in  setting  up  to 
be  master." 

"  Ay,  this  is  ever  the  way  with  your  disorganizes," 
muttered  the  Rover,  just  loud  enough  to  be  heard  by 
Wilder.  "  A  little  more  honesty,  than  they  possess, 
is  just  wanted,  in  order  that  each  may  enjoy  the 
faith  of  his  neighbour.  And  how  did  the  fellows  re 
ceive  the  lenity  ?  Did  I  well  ?  or  must  the  morning 
bring  its  punishment?" 

"  It  is  better  as  it  stands,  sir.  The  people  know 
whose  memory  is  good,  and  they  talk  already  of  the 
danger  of  adding  another  reckoning  to  this  they  feel 
certain  you  have  not  forgotten.  There  is  the  captain 
of  the  forecastle,  who  is  a  little  bitter,  as  usual,  and 


360  THE   RED   ROVER. 

the  more  so  just  now,  on  account  of  the  knock-down 
he  got  from  the  fist  of  the  black." 

"  Ay,  he  is  ever  troublesome ;  a  settling  day  must 
come  at  last  with  the  rogue." 

"  It  will  be  a  small  matter  to  expend  him  in  boat- 
service,  sir ;  and  the  ship's  company  will  be  all  the 
better  for  his  absence." 

"  Well,  well ;  no  more  of  him,"  interrupted  the 
Rover,  a  little  impatiently,  as  if  he  liked  not  that 
his  companion  should  look  too  deeply  into  the  policy 
of  his  government,  so  early  in  his  initiation.  "  I  will 
see  to  him.  If  I  mistake  not,  fellow,  you  over-acted 
your  own  part  to-day,  and  were  a  little  too  forward 
in  leading  on  the  trouble." 

"  I  hope  your  Honour  will  remember  that  the 
crew  had  been  piped  to  mischief;  besides,  there 
could  be  no  great  harm  in  washing  the  powder  off 
a  few  marines." 

"  Ay,  but  you  pressed  the  point  after  your  officer 
had  seen  fit  to  interfere.  Be  wary  in  future,  lest  you 
make  the  acting  too  true  to  nature,  and  you  get  ap 
plauded  in  a  manner  quite  as  well  performed." 

The  fellow  promised  caution  and  amendment ;  and 
then  he  was  dismissed,  with  his  reward  in  gold,  and 
with  an  injunction  to  be  secret  in  his  return.  So 
soon  as  the  interview  was  ended,  the  Rover  and 
Wilder  resumed  their  walk ;  the  former  having  made 
sure  that  no  evesdropper  had  been  at  hand  to  steal 
into  his  mysterious  connexion  with  the  spy.  The 
silence  was  again  long,  thoughtful,  and  deep. 

"Good  ears"  (recommenced  the  Rover)  "are 
nearly  as  important,  in  a  ship  like  this,  as  a  stout 
heart.  The  rogues  forward  must  not  be  permitted 
to  eat  of  the  fruit  of  knowledge,  lest  we,  who  are  in 
the  cabins,  die." 

"  This  is  a  perilous  service  in  which  we  are  em 
barked,"  observed  his  companion,  by  a  sort  of  in 
voluntary  exposure  of  his  secret  thoughts. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  36J 

The  Rover  remained  silent,  making  many  turns 
Across  the  deck,  before  he  again  opened  his  lips. 
When  he  spoke,  it  was  in  a  voice  so  bland  and  gen 
tle,  that  his  words  sounded  more  like  the  admonitory 
tones  of  a  considerate  friend,  than  like  the  language 
of  a  man  who  had  long  been  associated  with  a  set 
of  beings  so  rude  and  unprincipled  as  those  with 
whom  he  was  now  seen. 

"  You  are  still  on  the  threshold  of  your  life,  Mr 
Wilder,"  he  said,  "  and  it  is  all  before  you  to  choose 
the  path  on  which  you  will  go.  As  yet,  you  have 
been  present  at  no  violation  of  what  the  world  calls 
its  laws  ;  nor  is  it  too  late  to  say  you  never  will  be. 
I  may  have  been  selfish  in  my  wish  to  gain  you  ;  but 
try  me ;  and  you  will  find  that  self,  though  often  ac 
tive,  cannot,  nor  does  not,  long  hold  its  dominion 
over  my  mind.  Say  but  the  word,  and  you  are  free ; 
it  is  easy  to  destroy  the  little  evidence  which  exists 
of  your  having  made  one  of  my  crew.  The  land  is 
not  far  beyond  that  streak  of  fading  light ;  before  to 
morrow's  sun  shall  set,  your  foot  may  tread  it." 

"  Then,  why  not  both  ?  If  this  irregular  life  be 
evil  for  me,  it  is  the  same  for  you.  Could  I  hope" — 

"What  would  you  say?"  calmly  demanded  the 
Rover,  after  waiting  sufficiently  long  to  be  sure  his 
companion  hesitated  to  continue.  "  Speak  freely ; 
your  words  are  for  the  ears  of  a  friend." 

"  Then,  as  a  friend  will  I  unbosom  myself.  You 
say,  the  land  is  here  in  the  west.  It  would  be  easy 
for  you  and  I,  men  nurtured  on  the  sea,  to  lower 
this  boat  into  the  water ;  and,  profiting  by  the  dark 
ness,  long  ere  our  absence  could  be  known,  we 
should  be  lost  to  the  eye  of  any  who  might  seek  us." 

"  Whither  would  you  steer  ?" 

"  To  the  shores  of  America,  wliere  shelter  and 
peace  might  be  found  in  a  thousand  secret  places." 

"  Would  you  have  a  man,  who  has  so  long  lived  a 
2H 


THE    RED    ROVER, 

prince  among  his  followers,  become  a  beggar  ir    * 
land  of  strangers?" 

u  But  you  have  gold.  Are  we  not  masters  heic!  ? 
Who  is  there  that  might  dare  even  to  watch  our 
movements,  until  we  were  pleased  ourselves  to  throw 
oft'  the  authority  with  which  we  are  clothed  ?  Ere 
the  middle  watch  was  set,  all  might  be  done." 

"  Alone  !  Would  you  go  alone  ?" 

"  No — not  entirely — that  is — it  would  scarcely 
become  us,  as  men,  to  desert  the  females  to  the  bru 
tal  power  of  those  we  should  leave  behind." 

"  And  would  it  become  us,  as  men,  to  desert  those 
who  put  faith  in  our  fidelity?  Mr  Wilder,  your  pro 
posal  would  make  me  a  villain !  Lawless,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  world,  have  I  long  been  ;  but  a  trai 
tor  to  my  faith  and  plighted  word,  never !  The  hour 
may  come  when  the  beings  whose  world  is  in  this 
ship  shall  part;  but  the  separation  must  be  open, 
voluntary,  and  manly.  You  never  knew  what  drew 
me  into  the  haunts  of  man,  when  we  first  met  in  the 
town  of  Boston  ?" 

"  Never,"  returned  Wilder,  in  a  tone  of  deep  dis 
appointment. 

"  Listen,  and  you  shall  hear.  A  sturdy  follower  had 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  minions  of  the  law.  It 
was  necessary  to  save  him.  He  was  a  man  I  little 
loved,  but  he  was  one  who  had  ever  been  honest, 
after  his  opinions.  I  could  not  desert  the  victim ; 
nor  could  any  but  I  effect  his  escape.  Gold  and  ar 
tifice  succeeded  ;  and  the  fellow  is  now  here,  to  sing 
the  praises  of  his  Commander  to  the  crew.  Could 
I  forfeit  a  good  name,  obtained  at  so  much  hazard  ?" 

"  You  would  forfeit  the  good  opinions  of  knaves, 
to  gain  a  reputation  among  those  whose  commenda 
tions  are  an  honour." 

"  I  know  not.  You  little  understand  the  nature 
of  man,  if  you  are  now  to  learn  that  he  has  pride  in 


THE    RED    ROVER.  363 

maintaining  a  reputation  for  even  vice,  when  he  has 
once  purchased  notoriety  by  its  exhibition.  Besides, 
I  am  not  fitted  for  the  world,  as  it  is  found  among 
your  dependant  colonists." 

"  You  claim  your  birth,  perhaps,  in  the  mother 
country  ?" 

"  I  am  no  better  than  a. poor  provincial,  sir;  an 
humble  satellite  of  the  mighty  sun.  You  have  seen 
my  flags,  Mr  Wilder  : — but  there  was  one  wanting 
among  them  all ;  ay,  and  one  which,  had  it  existed, 
it  would  have  been  my  pride,  my  glory,  to  have  up 
held  with  my  heart's  best  blood!" 

"  I  know  not  what  you  mean." 

"  I  need  not  tell  a  seaman,  like  you,  how  many 
noble  rivers  pour  their  waters  into  the  sea  along  this 
coast  of  which  we  have  been  speaking — how  many 
wide  and  commodious  havens  abound  there — or  how 
many  sails  whiten  the  ocean,  that  are  manned  by 
men  who  first  drew  breath  on  that  spacious  and 
peaceful  soil." 

"  Surely  I  know  the  advantages  of  the  country  you 
mean." 

"  I  fear  not !"  quickly  returned  the  Rover.  "Were 
they  known,  as  they  should  be,  by  you  and  others 
like  you,  the  flag  I  mentioned  would  soon  be  found 
in  every  sea ;  nor  would  the  natives  of  our  country 
have  to  succumb  to  the  hirelings  of  a  foreign  prince." 

"  I  will  not  affect  to  misunderstand  your  meaning; 
for  I  have  known  others  as  visionary  as  yourself  in 
fancying  that  such  an  event  may  arrive." 

"  May  ! — As  certain  as  that  star  will  settle  in  the 
ocean,  or  that  day  is  to  succeed  to  night,  it  must. 
Had  that  flag  been  abroad,  Mr  Wilder,  no  man  would 
have  ever  heard  the  name  of  the  Red  Rover." 

"  The  King  has  a  service  of  his  own,  and  it  is 
open  to  all  his  subjects  alike." 

"  I  could  be  a  subject  of  a  King ;  but  to  be  the 
subject  of  a  subject,  Wilder,  exceeds  the  bounds  of 


THE    RED    ROVER. 

my  poor  patience.  I  was  educated,  I  might  almost 
have  said  born,  in  one  of  his  vessels  ;  and  how  often 
have  I  been  made  to  feel,  in  bitterness,  that  an  ocean 
separated  my  birth-place  from  the  footstool  of  his 
throne  !  Would  you  think  it,  sir?  one  of  his  Com 
manders  dared  to  couple  the  name  of  my  country 
with  an  epithet  I  will  not  wound  your  ear  by  re 
peating  !" 

"  I  hope  you  taught  the  scoundrel  manners." 

The  Rover  faced  his  companion,  and  there  was 
a  ghastly  smile  on  his  speaking  features,  as  he  an 
swered, — 

"  He  never  repeated  the  offence  !  'Twas  his  blood 
or  mine;  and  dearly  did  he  pay  the  forfeit  of  his 
brutality !" 

"  You  fought  like  men,  and  fortune  favoured  the 
injured  party  ?" 

"  We  fought,  sir. — But  I  had  dared  to  raise  my 
hand  against  a  native  of  the  holy  isle ! — It  is  enough, 
Mr  Wilder ;  the  King  rendered  a  faithful  subject  des 
perate,  and  he  has  had  reason  to  repent  it.  Enough 
for  the  present;  another  time  I  may  say  more. — Good 
night." 

Wilder  saw  the  figure  of  his  companion  descend 
the  ladder  to  the  quarter-deck  ;  and  then  was  he  left 
to  pursue  the  current  of  his  thoughts,  alone,  during 
the  remainder  of  a  watch  which ;  to  his  impatience 
teemed  without  an  end. 


THE    RED   ROVER  365 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

"  She  made  good  view  of  me ;  indeed  so  much, 
That  sure,  methought,  her  eyes  had  lost  her  tongue, 
For  she  did  speak  in  starts,  distractedly." 

Twelfth  Wight. 

THOUGH  most  of  the  crew  of  the  "Dolphin1' 
slept,  either  in  their  hammocks  or  among  the  guns, 
there  were  bright  and  anxious  eyes  still  open  in  a 
different  part  of  the  vessel.  The  Rover  had  relin 
quished  his  cabin  to  Mrs  Wyllys  and  Gertrude,  from 
the  moment  they  entered  the  ship ;  and  we  shall  shift 
the  scene  to  that  apartment,  (already  sufficiently  de 
scribed  to  render  the  reader  familiar  with  the  objects 
it  contained),  resuming  the  action  of  the  tale  at  an 
early  part  of  the  discourse  just  related  in  the  preced 
ing  chapter. 

It  will  not  be  necessary  to  dwell  upon  the  feelings 
with  which  the  female  inmates  of  the  vessel  had 
witnessed  the  disturbances  of  that  day ;  the  conjec 
tures  and  suspicions  to  which  they  gave  rise  may  be 
apparent  in  what  is  about  to  follow.  A  mild,  soft 
light  fell  from  the  lamp  of  wrought  and  massive  sil 
ver,  that  was  suspended  from  the  upper  deck,  ob 
liquely  upon  the  painfully  pensive  countenance  of 
the  governess,  while  a  few  of  its  strongest  rays  light 
ed  the  youthful  bloom,  though  less  expressive  be 
cause  less  meditative  lineaments,  of  her  companion. 
The  back-ground  was  occupied,  like  a  dark  shadow 
in  a  picture,  by  the  dusky  form  of  the  slumbering 
Cassandra.  At  the  moment  when  we  see  fit  to  lift 
the  curtain  on  this  quiet  scene  of  our  drama,  the 
pupil  was  speaking,  seeking,  in  the  averted  eyes  of 
her  instructress,  that  answer  to  her  question  which 
the  tongue  of  the  latter  appeared  reluctant  to  accord. 

"  I  repeat,  my  dearest  Madam,"  said  Gertrude 
2H2 


366  THE  RED  ROVER. 

"  that  the  fashion  of  these  ornaments,  no  less  than 
their  materials,  is  extraordinary  in  a  ship." 

"  And  what  would  you  infer  from  the  same?" 

"  I  know  not.  Still  I  would  that  we  were  safe  in 
the  house  of  my  father." 

"  God  grant  it !  It  may  be  imprudent  to  be  longer 
silent. — Gertrude,  frightful,  horrible  suspicions  have 
been  engendered  in  my  mind  by  what  we  have  this 
day  witnessed." 

The  cheek  of  the  maiden  blanched,  and  the  pupil 
of  her  soft  eye  contracted,  with  alarm,  while  she 
seemed  to  demand  an  explanation  with  every  dis 
turbed  lineament  of  her  countenance. 

"  I  have  long  been  familiar  with  the  usages  of  a 
vessel  of  war,"  continued  the  governess,  who  had 
only  paused  in  order  to  review  the  causes  of  her 
suspicions  in  her  own  mind;  "  but  never  have  I  seen 
such  customs  as,  each  hour,  unfold  themselves  in 
this  vessel." 

"  Of  what  do  you  suspect  her  ?" 

The  look  of  deep,  engrossing,  maternal  anxiety, 
that  the  lovely  interrogator  received  in  reply  to  this 
question,  might  have  startled  one  whose  mind  had 
been  more  accustomed  to  muse  on  the  depravity  of 
human  nature  than  the  spotless  being  who  received 
it ;  but  to  Gertrude  it  conveyed  no  more  than  a  gen 
eral  and  vague  sensation  of  alarm. 

"  Why  do  you  thus  regard  me,  my  governess — my 
mother  ?"  she  exclaimed,  bending  forward,  and  lay 
ing  a  hand  imploringly  on  the  arm  of  the  other,  as 
if  she  would  arouse  her  from  a  trance. 

"  Yes,  I  will  speak :  It  is  safer  that  you  know  the 
worst,  than  that  your  innocence  should  be  liable  to 
be  abused.  I  distrust  the  character  of  this  ship,  and 
of  all  that  belong  to  her." 

"  All !"  repeated  her  pupil,  gazing  fearfully,  and  a 
little  wildly,  around. 

«  Yes ;  of  all." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  367 

**  There  may  be  wicked  and  evil-intentioned  men 
in  his  Majesty's  fleet ;  but  we  are  surely  safe  from 
them,  since  fear  of  punishment,  if  not  fear  of  dis 
grace,  will  be  our  protector." 

"  I  dread  lest  we  find  that  the  lawless  spirits,  who 
harbour  here,  submit  to  no  laws  except  those  of  their 
own  enacting,  nor  acknowledge  any  authority  but 
that  which  exists  among  themselves." 

"  This  would  make  them  pirates  !" 

"  And  pirates,  I  fear,  we  shall  find  them." 

"Pirates?     What!  all?" 

"  Even  all.  Where  one  is  guilty  of  such  a  crime, 
it  is  clear  that  the  associates  cannot  be  free  from 
suspicion." 

"But,  dear  Madam,  we  know  that  one  among 
them,  at  least,  is  innocent ;  since  he  came  with  our 
selves,  and  under  circumstances  that  will  not  admi< 
of  deception." 

"  I  know  not.     There  are  different  degrees  of  tur- 

fitude,  as  there  are  different  tempers  to  commit  it ! 
fear  that  all  who  may  lay  claim  to  be  honest,  in 
this  vessel,  are  here  assembled." 

The  eyes  of  Gertrude  sunk  to  the  floor,  and  her 
lips  quivered,  partly  in  a  tremour  she  could  not  con 
trol,  and  perhaps  in  part  through  an  emotion  that 
she  found  inexplicable  to  herself. 

"  Since  we  know  whence  our  late  companion 
came,"  she  said,  in  an  under  tone,  "  I  think  you  do 
him  wrong,  however  right  your  suspicions  may  prove 
as  to  the  rest." 

"  I  may  be  wrong  as  to  him,  but  it  is  important 
that  we  know  the  worst.  Command  yourself,  my 
love ;  our  attendant  ascends ;  some  knowledge  of 
the  truth  may  be  gained  from  him." 

Mrs  Wyllys  gave  her  pupil  an  expressive  sign  to 
compose  her  features,  while  she  herself  resumed  her 
usual,  pensive  air,  with  a  calmness  of  mien  that 
might  have  deceived  one  far  more  practised  than  the 


368  THE    RED    ROVER. 

boy,  who  now  came  slowly  into  the  cabin.  Gertrude 
buried  her  face  in  a  part  of  her  attire,  while  the 
former  addressed  the  individual  who  had  just  enter 
ed,  in  a  tone  equally  divided  between  kindness  and 
concern. 

"  Roderick,  child,"  she  commenced,  "your  eye 
lids  are  getting  heavy.  This  service  of  a  ship  must 
be  new  to  you  ?" 

"  It  is  so  old  as  to  keep  me  from  sleeping  on  my 
watch,"  coldly  returned  the  boy. 

"A  careful  mother  would  be  better  for  one  of 
your  years,  than  the  school  of  the  boatswain.  What 
is  your  age,  Roderick  ?" 

"  I  have  seen  years  enough  to  be  both  wiser  and 
better,"  he  answered,  not  without  a  shade  of  thought 
settling  on  his  brow.  "  Another  month  will  make 
me  twenty." 

"  Twenty !    you  trifle  with  my  curiosity,  urchin." 

"  Did  I  say  twenty,  Madam !  Fifteen  would  be 
nearer  to  the  truth." 

"  I  believe  you  well.  And  how  many  of  those 
years  have  you  passed  upon  the  water?" 

"  But  two,  in  truth ;  though  I  often  think  them 
ten ;  and  yet  there  are  times  when  they  seem  but  a 
day !" 

"  You  are  i  omantic  early,  boy.  And  how  like  you 
the  trade  of  war?" 

"War!" 

"  Of  war.  I  speak  plainly,  do  I  not  ?  Those  who 
serve  in  a  vessel  that  is  constructed  expressly  for 
battle,  follow  the  trade  of  war." 

"  Oh  !  yes ;  war  is  certainly  our  trade." 

"  And  have  you  yet  seen  any  of  its  horrors  ?  Has 
this  ship  been  in  combat  since  your  service?" 

"This  ship!" 

"  Surely  this  ship :  Have  you  ever  sailed  in  any 
other?" 

"  Never." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  369 

"  Then,  it  is  of  this  ship  that  one  must  question 
you.  Is  prize-money  plenty  among  your  crew  ?" 

"  Abundant ;  they  never  want." 

"  Then  the  vessel  and  Captain  are  both  favourites. 
The  sailor  loves  the  ship  and  Commander  that  give 
him  an  active  life." 

"  Ay,  Madam ;  our  lives  are  active  here.  And  some 
there  are  among  us,  too,  who  love  both  ship  and 
Commander." 

"  And  have  you  mother,  or  friend,  to  profit  by 
your  earnings  ?" 

"  Have  I" 

Struck  with  the  tone  of  stupor  with  which  the  boy 
responded  to  her  queries,  the  governess  turned  her 
head,  to  read,  in  a  rapid  glance,  the  language  of  his 
countenance.  He  stood  in  a  sort  of  senseless  amaze 
ment,  looking  her  full  in  the  face,  but  with  an  eye 
far  too  vacant  to  prove  that  he  was  sensible  of  the 
image  that  filled  it. 

"  Tell  me,  Roderick,"  she  continued,  careful  not 
to  alarm  his  jealousy  by  any  sudden  allusion  to  his 
manner ;  "  tell  me  of  this  life  of  yours.  You  find  it 
merry  ?" 

"  I  find  it  sad." 

"  'Tis  strange.  The  young  ship-boys  are  ever 
among  the  merriest  of  mortals.  Perhaps  your  officer 
treats  you  with  severity." 

No  answer  was  given. 

"  I  am  then  right :  Your  Captain  is  a  tyrant?*' 

"  You  are  wrong  :  Never  has  he  said  harsh  or  un 
kind  word  to  me." 

Ah  !  then  he  is  gentle  and  kind.     You  are  very 
/,  Roderick." 

"T — happy,  Madam  !" 

"  I  speak  plainly,  and  in  English — happy." 

"  Oh  !  yes ,  we  are  all  very  happy  here." 

*  It  is  well.     A  discontented  ship  is  no  paradise 


happy, 


370  HE    RED    ROVER. 

And  you  are  often  in  port,  Roderick,  to  taste  the 
sweets  of  the  land  ?" 

"  I  care  but  little  for  the  land,  Madam,  could  1 
only  have  friends  in  the  ship  that  love  me." 

"  And  have  you  not  ?  Is  not  Mr  Wilder  your 
friend  ?" 

"  I  know  but  little  of  him ;  I  never  saw  him  be 
fore" 

"  When,  Roderick  ?" 

44  Before  we  met  in  Newport." 

"  In  Newport  ?" 

"  Surely  you  know  we  both  came  from  Newport, 
last." 

"  Ah  !  I  comprehend  you.  Then,  your  acquaint 
ance  with  Mr  Wilder  commenced  at  Newport  ?  It 
was  while  your  ship  was  lying  off  the  fort  ?" 

"  It  was.  I  carried  him  the  order  to  take  com 
mand  of  the  Bristol  trader.  He  had  only  joined  us 
the  night  before." 

"  So  lately !  It  was  a  young  acquaintance  indeed. 
But  I  suppose  your  Commander  knew  his  merits  ?' 

"  It  is  so  hoped  among  the  people.     But" — 

"  You  were  speaking,  Roderick." 

"  None  here  dare  question  the  Captain  for  his  rea 
sons.  Even /am  obliged  to  be  mute." 

"  Even  you!"  exclaimed  Mrs  Wyllys,  in  a  surprise 
that  for  the  moment  overcame  her  self-restraint.  But 
the  thought  in  which  the  boy  was  lost  appeared  to 
prevent  his  observing  the  sudden  change  in  her  man 
ner.  Indeed,  so  little  did  he  know  what  was  passing, 
that  the  governess  touched  the  hand  of  Gertrude, 
and  silently  pointed  out  the  insensible  figure  of  the 
lad,  without  the  slightest  apprehension  that  the  move 
ment  would  be  observed. 

"  What  think  you,  Roderick,"  continued  his  inter 
rogator,  '  would  he  refuse  to  answer  us  also  ?" 

The  buy  started ;  and,  as  consciousness  shot  into 


THE    RED    ROVER.  $71 

his  glance,  it  fell  upon  the  soft  and  speaking  counte 
nance  of  Gertrude. 

"  Though  her  beauty  be  so  rare,"  he  answered 
with  vehemence,  "  let  her  not  prize  it  too  highly. 
Woman  cannot  tame  his  temper !" 

"  Is  he  then  so  hard  of  heart  ?  Think  you  that  a 
question  from  this  fair  one  would  be  denied  ?" 

"  Hear  me,  Lady,"  he  said,  with  an  earnestness 
that  was  no  less  remarkable  than  the  plaintive  soft 
ness  of  the  tones  in  which  he  spoke ;  "  I  have  seen 
more,  in  the  last  two  crowded  years  of  my  life,  than 
many  youths  would  witness  between  childhood  and 
the  age  of  man.  This  is  no  place  for  innocence  and 
beauty.  Oh !  quit  the  ship,  if  you  leave  it  as  you 
came,  without  a  deck  to  lay  your  head  under !" 

"  It  may  be  too  late  to  follow  such  advice,"  Mrs 
Wyllys  gravely  replied,  glancing  her  eye  at  the  silent 
Gertrude  as  she  spoke.  "  But  tell  me  more  of  this 
extraordinary  vessel.  Roderick,  you  were  not  born 
to  fill  the  station  in  which  I  find  you  ?" 

The  boy  shook  his  head,  but  remained  with 
downcast  eyes,  apparently  not  disposed  to  answei 
further  on  such  a  subject. 

"  How  is  it  that  I  find  the  4  Dolphin '  bearing  dif 
ferent  hues  to-day  from  what  she  did  yesterday  ?  an4 
why  is  it  that  neither  then,  nor  now,  does  she  resem 
ble,  in  her  paint,  the  slaver  of  Newport  harbour  ?" 

"  And  why  is  it,"  returned  the  boy,  with  a  smile 
in  which  melancholy  struggled  powerfully  with  bit 
terness,  "  that  none  can  look  into  the  secret  heart  of 
him  who  makes  those  changes  at  will  ?  If  all  remain 
ed  the  same,  but  the  paint  of  the  ship,  one  might 
still  be  happy  in  her  !" 

44  Then,  Roderick,  you  are  not  happy :  Shall  I  in 
tercede  with  Captain  Heidegger  for  your  discharge  ?' 

"  I  could  never  wish  to  serve  another." 

44  How !  Do  you  complain,  and  yet  embrace  you? 
fetters  ?" 


372  .    THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  I  complain  not." 

The  governess  eyed  him  closely ;  and,  after  a  mo 
ment's  pause,  she  continued, — 

"  Is  it  usual  to  see  such  riotous  conduct  among  the 
crew  as  we  have  this  day  witnessed  ?" 

"  It  is  not.  You  have  little  to-fear  from  the  peo 
ple  ;  he  who  brought  them  under  knows  how  to  keep 
them  down." 

"  They  are  enlisted  by  order  of  the  King?" 

"  The  King !  Yes,  he  is  surely  a  King  who  has  no 
equal." 

"  But  they  dared  to  threaten  the  life  of  Mr  Wil 
der.  Is  a  seaman,  in  a  King's  ship,  usually  so  bold  ?" 

The  boy  glanced  a  look  at  Mrs  Wyllys  ;  as  if  he 
would  say,  he  understood  her  affected  ignorance  of 
the  character  of  the  vessel,  but  again  he  chose  to 
continue  silent. 

"  Think  you,  Roderick,"  continued  the  governess, 
who  no  longer  deemed  it  necessary  to  pursue  her 
covert  inquiries  on  that  particular  subject ;  "  think 
you,  Roderick,  that  the  Rov —  that  is,  that  Captain 
Heidegger  will  suffer  us  to  land  at  the  first  port 
which  offers  ?" 

"  Many  have  been  passed  since  you  reached  the 
ship." 

"  Ay,  many  that  are  inconvenient ;  but,  when  one 
shall  be  gained  where  his  pursuits  will  allow  his 
ship  to  enter  ?" 

"  Such  places  are  not  common." 

"  But,  should  it  occur,  do  you  not  think  he  will 
permit  us  to  land  ?  We  have  gold  to  pay  him  for  his 
trouble." 

"  He  cares  not  for  gold.  I  never  ask  him  for  it, 
that  he  does  not  fill  my  hand." 

"  You  must  be  happy,  then.  Plenty  of  gold  will 
compensate  for  a  cold  look  at  times." 

"Never!"  returned  the  boy,  with  quickness  and 
energy.  "Had  I  the  ship  filled  with  the  dross,  I 


THE    RED    ROVER.  373 

would  give  it  all  to  bring  a  look  of  kindness  into  his 
eye." 

Mrs  Wyllys  started,  no  less  at  the  fervid  manner 
of  the  lad  than  at  the  language.  Rising  from  her 
seat,  she  approached  nigher  to  him,  and  in  a  situa 
tion  where  the  light  of  the  lamp  fell  full  upon  his 
lineaments.  She  saw  the  large  drop  that  broke  out 
from  beneath  a  long  and  silken  lash,  to  roll  down  a 
cheek  which,  though  embrowned  by  the  sun,  was 
deepening  with  a  flush  that  gradually  stole  into  it,  as 
her  own  gaze  became  more  settled ;  and  then  her 
eyes  fell  slowly  and  keenly  along  the  person  of  the 
lad,  until  they  reached  even  the  delicate  feet,  that 
seemed  barely  able  to  uphold  him.  The  usually  pen 
sive  and  mild  countenance  of  the  governess  changed 
to  a  look  of  cold  regard,  and  her  whole  form  appeared 
to  elevate  itself,  in  chaste  matronly  dignity,  as  she 
sternly  asked, — 

"  Boy,  have  you  a  mother?" 

"  I  know  not,"  was  the  answer  that  came  from 
lips  that  scarcely  severed  to  permit  the  smothered 
sounds  to  escape. 

"  It  is  enough ;  another  time  I  will  speak  further 
to  you.  Cassandra  will  in  future  do  the  service  of 
this  cabin ;  when  I  have  need  of  you,  the  gong  shall 
be  touched." 

The  head  of  Roderick  fell  nearly  to  his  bosom. 
He  shrunk  from  before  that  cold  and  searching  eye 
which  followed  his  form,  until  it  had  disappeared 
through  the  hatch,  and  whose  look  was  then  bent 
rapidly,  and  not  without  a  shade  of  alarm,  on  the 
face  of  the  wondering  but  silent  Gertrude. 

A  gentle  tap  at  the  door  broke  in  upon  the  flood 
of  reflection  which  was  crowding  on  the  mind  of 
the  governess.  She  gave  the  customary  answer;  and, 
before  time  was  allowed  for  any  interchange  of  ideas 
Detween  her  and  her  pupil,  the  Rover  entered. 
21 


374  THE    RED    ROVER. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

"  I  melt,  and  am  not  of  stronger  earth  than  others." — Coriolanu*. 

THE  females  received  their  visiter  with  a  restraint 
which  will  be  easily  understood  when  the  subject  o 
their  recent  conversation  is  recollected.  The  sinking 
of  Gertrude's  form  was  deep  and  hurried,  but  her 
governess  maintained  the  coldness  of  her  air  with 
greater  self-composure.  Still,  there  was  a  gleaming 
of  powerful  anxiety  in  the  watchful  glance  that  she 
threw  towards  her  guest,  as  though  she  would  divine 
the  motive  of  the  visit  by  the  wanderings  of  his 
changeful  eye,  even  before  his  lips  had  parted  in  the 
customary  salute. 

The  countenance  of  the  Rover  himself  was  thought 
ful  to  gravity.  He  bowed  as  he  came  within  the  in 
fluence  of  the  lamp,  and  his  voice  was  heard  mut 
tering  some  low  and  hasty  syllables,  that  conveyed 
no  meaning  to  the  ears  of  his  listeners.  Indeed,  so 
great  was  the  abstraction  in  which  he  was  lost,  that 
he  had  evidently  prepared  to  throw  his  person  on 
the  vacant  divan,  without  explanation  or  apology, 
like  one  who  took  possession  of  his  own ;  though 
recollection  returned  just  in  time  to  prevent  this 
breach  of  decorum.  Smiling,  and  repeating  his  bow, 
with  a  still  deeper  inclination,  he  advanced  with  per 
fect  self-possession  to  the  table,  where  he  expressed 
his  fears  that  Mrs  Wyllys  might  deem  his  visit  un 
seasonable,  or  perhaps  not  announced  with  sufficient 
ceremony.  During  this  short  introduction  his  voice 
was  bland  as  woman's,  and  his  mien  courteous,  as 
though  he  actually  felt  himself  an  intruder  in  the 
cabin  of  a  vessel  in  which  he  was  literally  a  monarch. 

44  But,  unseasonable  as  is  the  hour,"  he  continued. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  375 

"1  should  have  gone  to  my  cott  with  a  conscious 
rieas  of  not  having  discharged  all  the  duties  of  an 
attentive  and  considerate  host,  had  I  forgotten  to  re 
assure  you  of  the  tranquillity  of  the  ship,  after  the 
scene  you  have  this  day  witnessed.  I  have  pleasure 
in  saying,  that  the  humour  of  my  people  is  already 
expended,  and  that  lambs,  in  their  nightly  folds,  are 
not  more  placid  than  they  are  at  this  minute  in  their 
hammocks." 

"  The  authority  that  so  promptly  quelled  the  dis 
turhance  is  happily  ever  present  to  protect  us,"  re 
turned  the  cautious  governess  ;  "  we  repose  entirely 
on  your  discretion  and  generosity." 

u  You  have  not  misplaced  your  confidence.  From 
the  danger  of  mutiny,  at  least,  you  are  exempt." 

"  And  from  all  others,  I  trust." 

"  This  is  a  wild  and  fickle  element  we  dwell  on," 
he  answered,  while  he  howed  an  acknowledgment 
for  the  politeness,  and  took  the  seat  to  which  the 
other  invited  him  by  a  motion  of  the  hand ;  "  but 
you  know  its  character,  and  need  not  be  told  that 
we  seamen  are  seldom  certain  of  any  of  our  move 
ments.  1  loosened  the  cords  of  discipline  myself 
to-day,"  he  added,  after  a  moment's  pause,  "  and  in 
some  measure  invited  the  broil  that  followed :  But 
it  is  passed,  like  the  hurricane  and  the  squall ;  and 
the  ocean  is  not  now  smoother  than  the  tempers  of 
my  knaves." 

"  I  have  often  witnessed  these  rude  sports  in  ves- 
eels  of  the  King ;  but  I  do  not  remember  to  have 
known  any  more  serious  result  than  the  settlement 
of  some  ancient  quarrel,  or  some  odd  freak  of  nauti 
cal  humour,  which  has  commonly  proved  as  harm 
less  as  it  has  been  quaint." 

"  Ay ;  but  the  ship  which  often  runs  the  hazards 
of  the  shoals  gets  wrecked  at  last,"  muttered  the 
Hover  "  I  rarely  give  the  quarter-deck  up  to  the 


376  THE    RED    ROVER. 

people,  without  keeping  a  vigilant  watch  on  their 
humours  ;  but — to-day" 

"  You  were  speaking  of  to-day." 

"  Neptune,  with  his  coarse  devices,  is  no  stranger 
to  you,  Madam." 

"  I  have  seen  the  God  in  times  past." 

"  'Twas  thus  I  understood  it ; — under  the  line  ?" 

"  And  elsewhere." 

"  Elsewhere !"  repeated  the  other,  in  a  tone  of 
disappointment.  "  Ay,  the  sturdy  despot  is  to  be 
found  in  every  sea ;  and  hundreds  of  ships,  and  ships 
of  size  too,  are  to  be  seen  scorching  in  the  calms  of 
the  equator.  It  was  idle  to  give  the  subject  a  second 
thought." 

**You  have  been  pleased  to  observe  something 
that  has  escaped  my  ear." 

The  Rover  started ;  for  he  had  rather  muttered 
than  spoken  the  preceding  sentence  aloud.  Casting 
a  swift  and  searching  glance  around  him,  as  it  might 
be  to  assure  himself  that  no  impertinent  listener  had 
found  means  to  pry  into  the  mysteries  of  a  mind  he 
seldom  saw  fit  to  lay  open  to  the  free  examination  of 
his  associates,  he  regained  his  self-possession  on  the 
instant,  and  resumed  the  discourse  with  a  manner  as 
undisturbed  as  if  it  had  received  no  interruption. 

"  Yes,  I  had  forgotten  that  your  sex  is  often  as 
timorous  as  it  is  fair,"  he  added,  with  a  smile  so  in 
sinuating  and  gentle,  that  the  governess  cast  an  in 
voluntary  and  uneasy  glance  towards  her  charge, 
"  or  I  might  have  been  earlier  with  my  assurance  ol 
safety." 

"  It  is  welcome  even  now." 

"  And  your  young  and  gentle  friend,"  he  continued, 
bowing  openly  to  Gertrude,  though  he  still  addressed 
his  words  to  the  governess  ;  "  her  slumbers  will  not 
be  the  heavier  for  what  has  passed." 

"  The  innocent  seldom  find  an  uneasy  pillow  ll 


THE    RED    ROVER.  377 

"  There  is  a  holy  and  unsearchable  mystery  in 
that  truth :  The  innocent  pillow  their  heads  in  quiet ! 
Would  to  God  the  guilty  might  find  some  refuge, 
too,  against  the  sting  of  thought !  But  we  live  in  a 
world,  and  a  time,  when  men  cannot  be  sure  even 
of  themselves." 

He  then  paused,  and  looked  about  him,  with  a 
smile  so  haggard,  that  the  anxious  governess  uncon 
sciously  drew  nigher  to  her  pupil,  like  one  who  sought, 
and  was  willing  to  yield,  protection  against  the  un 
certain  designs  of  a  maniac.  Her  visiter,  however, 
remained  in  a  silence  so  long  and  deep,  that  she  felt 
the  necessity  of  removing  the  awkward  embarrass 
ment  of  their  situation,  by  speaking  herself. 

"  Do  you  find  Mr  Wilder  as  much  inclined  to 
mercy  as  yourself?"  she  asked.  "  There  would  be 
merit  in  his  forbearance,  since  he  appeared  to  be  the 
particular  object  of  the  anger  of  the  mutineers." 

"  And  yet  you  saw  he  was  not  without  his  friends. 
'  You  witnessed  the  devotion  of  the  men  who  stood 
forth  in  his  behalf?" 

"  I  did ;  and  find  it  remarkable  that  he  should 
have  been  able,  in  so  short  a  time,  to  conquer  thus 
completely  two  so  stubborn  natures." 

"  Four-and-twenty  years  make  not  an  acquaintance 
of  a  day !" 

"  And  does  their  friendship  bear  so  old  a  date  ?" 

"  I  have  heard  that  time  counted  between  them. 
It  is  very  certain  the  youth  is  bound  to  those  uncouth 
companions  of  his  by  some  extraordinary  tie.  Per 
haps  this  is  not  the  first  of  their  services." 

Mrs  Wyllys  looked  grieved.  Although  prepared 
to  believe  that  Wilder  was  a  secret  agent  of  the  Ro 
ver,  she  had  endeavoured  to  hope  his  connexion  with 
the  freebooters  was  susceptible  of  some  explanation 
more  favourable  to  his  character.  However  he  might 
be  implicated  in  the  common  guilt  of  those  who 
212 


378  THE    RED    ROVER. 

pursued  the  hazards  of  the  reckless  fortunes  of  that 
proscribed  ship,  it  was  evident  he  hore  a  heart  too 
generous  to  wish  to  see  her,  and  her  young  and 
guileless  charge,  the  victims  of  the  licentiousness  of 
his  associates.  His  repeated  and  mysterious  warnings 
no  longer  needed  explanation.  Indeed,  all  that  had 
I  een  dark  and  inexplicable,  both  in  the  previous  and 
unaccountable  glimmerings  of  her  own  mind,  and 
in  the  extraordinary  conduct  of  the  inmates  of  the 
ship,  was  at  each  instant  becoming  capable  of  solu 
tion.  She  now  remembered,  in  the  person  and  coun 
tenance  of  the  Rover,  the  form  and  features  of  the 
individual  who  had  spoken  the  passing  Bristol  trader, 
from  the  rigging  of  the  slaver — a  form  which  had 
unaccountably  haunted  her  imagination,  during  her 
residence  in  his  ship,  like  an  image  recalled  from 
some  dim  and  distant  period.  Then  she  saw  at  once 
the  difficulty  that  Wilder  might  prove  in  laying  open 
a  secret  in  which  not  only  his  life  was  involved,  but 
which,  to  a  mind  that  was  not  hardened  in  vice,  in 
volved  a  penalty  not  less  severe — that  of  the  loss  of 
their  esteem.  In  short,  a  good  deal  of  that  which 
the  reader  has  found  no  difficulty  in  comprehending 
was  also  becoming  clear  to  the  faculties  of  the  gov 
erness,  though  much  still  remained  obscured  in 
doubts,  that  she  could  neither  solve  nor  yet  entirely 
banish  from  her  thoughts.  On  all  these  several  points 
she  had  leisure  to  cast  a  rapid  glance ;  for  her  guest, 
or  host,  whichever  he  might  be  called,  seemed  in 
nowise  disposed  to'  interrupt  her  short  and  melan 
choly  reverie. 

"  It  is  wonderful,"  Mrs  Wyllys  at  length  resumed, 
"  that  beings  so  uncouth  should  be  influenced  by  the 
same  attachments  as  those  which  unite  the  educated 
and  the  refined." 

"  It  is  wonderful,  as  you  say,"  returned  the  other, 
like  one  awakening  from  a  dream.  "  I  would  give 


THE    RED   ROVER.  379 

a  thousand  of  the  brightest  guineas  that  ever  came 
from  the  mint  of  George  II.  to  know  the  private 
history  of  that  youth." 

"  Is  he  then  a  stranger  to  you  ?"  demanded  Ger 
trude,  with  the  quickness  of  thought. 

The  Rover  turned  an  eye  on  her,  that  was  vacant 
for  the  moment,  but  into  which  consciousness  and 
expression  began  to  steal  as  he  gazed,  until  the  foot 
of  the  governess  was  visibly  trembling  with  the  nerv 
ous  excitement  that  pervaded  her  entire  frame. 

"  Who  shall  pretend  to  know  the  heart  of  man  !' 
he  answered,  again  inclining  his  head  as  it  might  be 
in  acknowledgment  of  her  perfect  right  to  far  deeper 
homage.     "  All  are  strangers,  till  we  can  read  their 
most  secret  thoughts." 

"  To  pry  into  the  mysteries  of  the  human  mind, 
is  a  privilege  which  few  possess,"  coldly  remarked 
the  governess.  "  The  world  must  be  often  tried,  and 
thoroughly  known,  before  we  may  pretend  to  judge 
of  the  motives  of  any  around  us." 

"  And  yet  it  is  a  pleasant  world  to  those  who  have 
the  heart  to  make  it  merry,"  cried  the  Rover,  with 
one  of  those  startling  transitions  which  marked  his 
manner.  "  To  him  who  is  stout  enough  to  follow  the 
bent  of  his  humour,  all  is  easy.  Do  you  know,  that 
the  true  secret  of  the  philosopher  is  not  in  living  for 
ever,  but  in  living  while  you  may.  He  who  dies  at 
fifty,  after  a  fill  of  pleasure,  has  had  more  of  life 
than  he  who  drags  his  feet  through  a  century,  bear 
ing  the  burden  of  the  world^s  caprices,  and  afraid  to 
speak  above  his  breath,  lest,  forsooth,  his  neighbour 
should  find  that  his  words  were  evil." 

"  And  yet  are  there  some  who  find  their  pleasure 
in  pursuing  the  practices  of  virtue." 

"  'Tis  lovely  in  your  sex  to  say  it,"  he  answered 
with  an  air  that  the  sensitive  governess  fancied  wa? 
gleaming  with  the  growing  licentiousness  of  a  free 
bonier.  She  would  now  gladly  have  dismissed  her 


380  THE    RED    ROVER. 

visiter;  but  a  certain  flashing  of  the  eye,  and  a  man 
ner  that  was  becoming  gay  by  a  species  of  unnatural 
effort,  admonished  her  of  the  danger  of  offending 
one  who  acknowledged  no  law  but  his  own  will 
Assuming  a  tone  and  a  manner  that  were  kind,  while 
they  upheld  the  dignity  of  her  sex,  and  pointing  to 
sundry  instruments  of  music  that  formed  part  of 
the  heterogeneous  furniture  of  the  cabin,  she  adroit- 
y  turned  the  discourse,  by  saying, — 

"  One  whose  mind  can  be  softened  by  harmony 
and  whose  feelings  are  so  evidently  alive  to  the  in 
fluence  of  sweet  sounds,  should  not  decry  the  pleas 
ures  of  virtue.     This  flute,  and  yon  guitar,  both  calj 
you  master." 

"  And,  because  of  these  flimsy  evidences  about  my 
person,  you  are  willing  to  give  me  credit  for  the  ac 
complishments  you  mention  !  Here  is  another  mis 
take  of  miserable  mortality  !  Seeming  is  the  every 
day  robe  of  honesty.  Why  not  give  me  credit  for 
kneeling,  morning  and  night,  before  yon  glittering 
bauble?"  he  added, pointing  to  the  diamond  crucifix 
which  hung,  as  usual,  near  the  door  of  his  own  apart 
ment. 

"  I  hope,  at  least,  that  the  Being,  whose  memory 
is  intended  to  be  revived  by  that  image,  is  not  with 
out  your  homage.  In  the  pride  of  his  strength  and 
prosperity,  man  may  think  lightly  of  the  consolations 
that  can  flow  from  a  power  superior  to  humanity ; 
but  those  who  have  oftenest  proved  their  value  feel 
deepest  the  reverence  which  is  their  due." 

The  look  of  the  governess  had  been  averted 
from  her  companion ;  but,  filled  with  the  profound 
sentiment  she  uttered,  her  mild  reflecting  eye  turned 
to  him  again,  as,  in  a  tone  that  was  subdued,  in  re 
spect  for  the  mighty  Being  whose  attributes  filled  her 
mind,  she  uttered  the  above  simple  sentiment.  The 
gaze  she  met  was  earnest  and  thoughtful  as  her  own 
Lifting  a  finger,  he  laid  it  on  her  arm,  with  a  motion 


THE    RED    ROVER.  381 

s*.  light  as  to  be  scarcely  perceptible,  while  he 
asked, — 

"  Think  you  we  are  to  blame,  if  our  temperaments 
incline  more  to  evil  than  power  is  given  to  resist?" 

"  It  is  only  those  who  attempt  to  walk  the  path  of 
life  alone  that  stumble.  I  shall  not  offend  your  man 
hood,  if  I  ask,  do  you  never  commune  with  your 
God?" 

"  It  is  long  since  that  name  has  been  heard  in  this 
vessel,  Lady,  except  to  aid  in  that  miserable  scoffing 
and  profanity  which  simpler  language  made  too  dull. 
But  what  is  He,  that  unknown  Deity,  more  than 
what  man,  in  his  ingenuity,  has  seen  fit  to  make 
him  ?" 

" l  The  fool  hath  said  in  his  heart,  there  is  no 
God,' "  she  answered,  in  a  voice  so  firm,  that  it 
startled  even  the  ears  of  one  so  long  accustomed  to 
the  turbulence  and  grandeur  of  his  wild  profession. 
"  'Gird  up  now  thy  loins  like  a  man;  for  I  will  de 
mand  of  thee,  and  answer  thou  me.  Where  wast 
thou  when  I  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth  ?  De 
clare,  if  thou  hast  understanding.'  " 

The  Rover  gazed  long  and  silently  on  the  flushed 
countenance  of  the  speaker.  Bending  his  face  in 
an  unconscious  manner  aside,  he  said  aloud,  evident 
ly  rather  giving  utterance  to  his  thoughts  than  pur 
suing  the  discourse, — 

"  Now,  is  there  nothing  more  in  this  than  what  I 
have  often  heard,  and  yet  does  it  come  over  my  feel 
ings  with  the  freshness  of  native  air !"  Then  rising, 
he  approached  his  mild  and  dignified  companion, 
adding,  in  tones  but  little  above  a  whisper,  "  Lady 
repeat  those  words  ;  change  not  a  syllable,  nor  vary 
Ihe  slightest  intonation  of  the  voice,  I  pray  thee." 

Though  amazed,  and  secretly  alarmed  at  the  re- 
quest,  Mrs  Wyllys  complied ;  delivering  the  holy 
language  of  the  inspired  writers  with  a  fervour  that 
found  its  support  in  the  strength  of  her  own  emo- 


382  THE    RED  ROVER. 

tions.  Her  auditor  listened  like  a  being  enthralled. 
For  near  a  minute,  neither  eye  nor  attitude  was 
changed,  but  he  stood  at  the  feet  of  her  who  had  so 
simply  and  so  powerfully  asserted  the  majesty  of 
God,  as  motionless  as  the  mast  that  rose  behind  him 
through  the  decks  of  that  vessel  which  he  had  so 
long  devoted  to  the  purposes  of  his  lawless  life.  It 
was  long  after  her  accents  had  ceased  to  fall  on  his 
ear,  that  he  drew  a  deep  respiration,  and  once  again 
opened  his  lips  to  speak. 

"  This  is  re-treading  the  path  of  life  at  a  stride.'1 
he  said,  suffering  his  hand  to  fall  upon  that  of  his 
companion.  "  I  know  not  why  pulses,  which  in 
common  are  like  iron,  beat  so  wildly  and  irregularly 
now.  Lady,  this  little  and  feeble  hand  might  check 
a  temper  that  has  so  often  braved  the  power  of" — 

His  words  suddenly  ceased  ;  for,  as  his  eye  uncon 
sciously  followed  his  hand,  it  rested  on  the  still  deli 
cate,  but  no  longer  youthful,  member  of  the  govern 
ess.  Drawing  a  sigh,  like  one  who  felt  himself 
awakened  from  an  agreeable  though  complete  illu 
sion,  he  turned  away,  leaving  his  sentence  unfinished. 

"  You  would  have  music !"  he  recklessly  ex 
claimed  aloud.  "  Then  music  shall  be  heard,  though 
its  symphony  be  rung  upon  a  gong !" 

As  he  spoke,  the  wayward  and  vacillating  being 
we  have  been  attempting  to  describe  struck  the  in 
strument  he  named  three  blows,  so  quick  and  pow 
erfully,  as  to  drown  all  other  sensations  in  the  con 
fusion  produced  by  the  echoing  din.  Though  deeply 
mortified  that  he  had  so  quickly  escaped  from  the  in 
fluence  she  had  partially  acquired,  and  secretly  dis 
pleased  at  the  unceremonious  manner  in  which  he 
had  seen  fit  to  announce  his  independence  again,  the 
governess  was  aware  of  the  necessity  of  concealing 
her  sentiments. 

"  This  is  certainly  not  the  harmony  I  invited,' 
B!IC  said,  so  soon  as  the  overwhelming  sounds  had 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


383 


ceased  to  fill  the  ship  ;  "  nor  do  I  think  it  of  a  quality 
to  favour  the  slumbers  of  those  who  seek  theii 
rest." 

"  Fear  nothing  for  them.  The  seaman  sleeps  with 
his  ear  near  the  port  whence  the  cannon  bellows, 
and  awakes  at  the  call  of  the  boatswain's  whistle. 
He  is  too  deeply  schooled  in  habit,  to  think  he  has 
heard  more  than  a  note  of  the  flute ;  stronger  and 
fuller  than  common,  if  you  will,  but  still  a  sound  tha 
has  no  interest  for  him.  Another  tap  would  have 
sounded  the  alarm  of  fire ;  but  these  three  touches 
say  no  more  than  music.  It  was  the  signal  for  the 
band.  The  night  is  still,  and  favourable  for  their  art, 
and  we  will  listen  to  sweet  sounds  awhile." 

His  words  were  scarcely  uttered  before  the  low 
chords  of  wind  instruments  were  heard  without, 
where  the  men  had  probably  stationed  themselves  by 
some  previous  order  of  their  Captain.  The  Rover 
smiled,  as  if  he  exulted  in  this  prompt  proof  of  the 
sort  of  despotic  or  rather  magical  power  he  wielded  ; 
and,  throwing  his  form  on  the  divan,  he  sat  listening 
to  the  sounds  which  followed. 

The  strains  which  now  rose  upon  the  night,  and 
which  spread  themselves  soft  and  melodiously  abroad 
upon  the  water,  would  in  truth  have  done  credit  to 
far  more  regular  artists.  The  air  was  wild  and  mel 
ancholy,  and  perhaps  it  was  the  more  in  accordance 
with  the  present  humour  of  the  man  for  whose  ear 
it  was  created.  Then,  losing  the  former  character 
the  whole  power  of  the  music  was  concentrated  in 
softer  and  still  gentler  sounds,  as  if  the  genius  who 
had  given  birth  to  the  melody  had  been  pouring  out 
the  feelings  of  his  soul  in  pathos.  The  temper  of 
the  Rover's  mind  answered  to  the  changing  expres 
sion  of  the  music ;  and,  when  the  strains  were  sweet 
est  and  most  touching,  he  even  bowed  his  head  like 
one  who  wept. 


384  THE   RED   ROVER. 

Though  secretly  under  the  influence  of  the  har 
mony  themselves,  Mrs  Wyllys  and  her  pupil  could 
but  gaze  on  the  singularly  constituted  being  into 
whose  hands  their  evil  fortune  had  seen  fit  to  cast 
them.  The  former  was  filled  with  admiration  at  the 
fearful  contrariety  of  those  passions  which  could  re 
veal  themselves,  in  the  same  individual,  under  so 
very  different  and  so  dangerous  forms  ;  while  the  lat 
ter,  judging  with  the  indulgence  and  sympathy  of 
her  years,  was  willing  to  believe  that  a  man  whose 
emotions  could  be  thus  easily  and  kindly  excited 
was  rather  the  victim  of  circumstances  than  the 
creator  of  his  own  luckless  fortune. 

"  There  is  Italy  in  those  strains,1'  said  the  Rover, 
when  the  last  chord  had  died  upon  his  ear;  "  sweet, 
indolent,  luxurious,  forgetful  Italy!  It  has  never 
been  your  chance,  Madam,  to  visit  that  land,  so 
mighty  in  its  recollections,  and  so  impotent  in  its 
actual  condition  ?" 

The  governess  made  no  reply ;  but,  bowing  her 
head,  in  turn,  her  companions  believed  she  was  sub 
mitting  also  to  the  influence  of  the  music.  At  length, 
as  though  impelled  by  another  changeful  impulse,  the 
Rover  advanced  towards  Gertrude,  and,  addressing 
her  with  a  courtesy  that  would  have  done  credit  to 
a  very  different  scene,  he  said,  in  the  laboured  lan 
guage  that  characterised  the  politeness  of  the  age, — 

"  One  who  in  common  speaks  music  should  not 
have  neglected  the  gifts  of  nature.  You  sing?" 

Had  Gertrude  possessed  the  power  he  affected  to 
believe,  her  voice  would  have  denied  its  services  at 
his  call.  Bending  to  his  compliment,  she  murmured 
her  apologies  in  words  that  were  barely  audible.  He 
listened  intently;  but,  without  pressing  a  point  that 
it  was  easy  to  see  was  unwelcome,  he  turned  away, 
and  gave  the  gong  a  light  but  startling  tap. 

"  Roderick,"  he  continued,  when  the  gentle  foot 


THE    RED    ROVER.  385 

step  of  the  lad  was  heard  upon  the  stairs  that  led 
into  the  cabin  below,  "  do  you  sleep  ?" 

The  answer  was  slow  and  smothered;  and,  of 
course,  in  the  negative. 

"  Apollo  was  not  absent  at  the  birth  of  Roderick, 
Madam.  The  lad  can  raise  such  sounds  as  have  been 
known  to  melt  the  stubborn  feelings  of  a  seaman. 
Go,  place  yourself  by  the  cabin  door,  good  Roderick, 
and  bid  the  music  run  a  low  accompaniment  to  your 
words." 

The  boy  obeyed,  stationing  his  slight  form  so  much 
in  shadow,  that  the  expression  of  his  working  coun 
tenance  was  not  visible  to  those  who  sat  within  the 
stronger  light  of  the  lamp.  The  instruments  then 
commenced  a  gentle  symphony,  which  was  soon 
ended ;  and  twice  had  they  begun  the  air,  but  still 
no  voice  was  heard  to  mingle  in  the  harmony. 

"  Words,  Roderick,  words  ;  we  are  but  dull  inter 
preters  of  the  meaning  of  yon  flutes." 

Thus  admonished  of  his  duty,  the  boy  began  to 
sing  in  a  full,  rich  contralto  voice,  which  betrayed  a 
tremour,  however,  that  evidently  formed  no  part  of 
the  air.  His  words,  so  far  as  they  might  be  distin 
guished,  ran  as  follows  : — 

"  The  land  was  lying  broad  and  fair 

Behind  the  western  sea ; 
And  holy  solitude  was  there, 

And  sweetest  liberty. 

The  ling'ring  sun,  at  ev'ning,  hung 
A  glorious  orb,  divinely  beaming 
On  silent  lake  and  tree ; 

And  ruddy  light  was  o'er  all  streaming, 
Mark,  man  !  for  thee ; 
O'er  valley,  lake,  and  tree  ! 

And  now  a  thousand  maidens  stray, 

Or  range  the  echoing  groves ; 
While,  flutt'ring  near,  on  pinions  gay, 

Fan  twice  ten  thousand  loves, 
n  that  soft  clime,  at  even  time, 

Hope  says" 


386  THE   RED   ROVER. 

"  Enough  of  this,  Roderick,"  impatiently  inter 
rupted  his  master.  "  There  is  too  much  of  the  Cory 
don  in  that  song  for  the  humour  of  a  mariner.  Sing 
us  of  the  sea  and  its  pleasures,  boy ;  and  roll  out 
the  strains  in  such  a  fashion  as  may  suit  a  sailors 
fancy." 

The  lad  continued  mute,  perhaps  in  disinclination 
to  the  task,  perhaps  from  utter  inability  to  comply. 

"What,  Roderick!  does  the  muse  desert  thee? 
or  is  memory  getting  dull  7  You  see  the  child  is  wil 
ful  in  his  melody,  and  must  sing  of  loves  and  sun 
shine,  or  he  fails.  Now  touch  us  a  stronger  chord 
my  men,  and  put  life  into  your  cadences,  while  I 
troll  a  sea  air  for  the  honour  of  the  ship." 

The  band  took  the  humour  of  the  moment  from 
their  master,  (for  surely  he  well  deserved  the  name), 
sounding  a  powerful  and  graceful  symphony,  to  pre 
pare  the  listeners  for  the  song  of  the  Rover.  Those 
treacherous  and  beguiling  tones  which  so  often  stole 
into  his  voice,  when  speaking,  did  not  mislead  ex 
pectation  as  to  its  powers.  It  proved  to  be  at  the 
same  time  rich,  full,  deep,  and  melodious.  Favoured 
by  these  material  advantages,  and  aided  by  an  ex 
quisite  ear,  he  rolled  out  the  following  stanzas  in  a 
manner  that  was  singularly  divided  between  that  of 
the  reveller  and  the  man  of  sentiment.  The  words 
were  probably  original ;  for  they  both  smacked 
strongly  of  his  own  profession,  and  were  not  entirely 
without  a  touch  of  the  peculiar  taste  of  the  in 
dividual. 


All  hands,  unmoor  !  unmoor  ! 
Hark  to  the  hoarse,  but  welcome  sound, 

Startling  the  seaman's  sweetest  slumbers. 
The  groaning  capstan's  labouring  round, 
The  cheerful  fife's  enliv'ning  numbers. 
And  lingering  idlers  join  the  brawl, 
And  merry  ship-boys  swell  the  call, 
\11  hands,  unmoor !  unmoor  ! 


THE    RED    ROVER.  387 

The  cry  is,  "  A  sail !  a  sail  ln 
Brace  high  each  nerve  to  dare  the  fight, 
And  boldly  steer  to  seek  the  foeman ; 
One  secret  prayer  to  aid  the  right, 

And  many  a  secret  thought  to  woman  ' 
Now  spread  the  flutt'ring  canvas  wide, 
And  dash  the  foaming  sea  aside  ; 
The  cry  's,  "  A  sail !  a  sail  I" 

Three  cheers  for  victory  ! 
Hush'd  be  each  plaint  o'er  fallen  brave ; 

Still  ev'ry  sigh  to  messmate  given ; 
The  seaman's  tomb  is  in  the  wave ; 
The  hero's  latest  hope  is  heaven ! 
High  lift  the  voice  in  revelry  ! 
Gay  raise  the  song,  the  shout,  the  glee  ; 
Three  cheers  for  victory ! 

So  soon  as  he  had  ended  this  song,  and  without 
waiting  to  listen  if  any  words  of  compliment  were 
to  succeed  an  effort  that  might  lay  claim  to  great 
excellence  both  in  tones  and  execution,  he  arose ; 
and,  desiring  his  guests  to  command  the  services  of 
his  band  at  pleasure,  he  wished  them  "  soft  repose 
and  pleasant  dreams,"  and  then  coolly  descended 
into  the  lower  apartments,  apparently  for  the  night. 
Mrs  Wyllys  and  Gertrude,  notwithstanding  both  had 
been  amused,  or  rather  seduced,  by  the  interest 
thrown  around  a  manner  that  was  so  wayward,  while 
it  was  never  gross,  felt  a  sensation,  as  he  disappeared, 
like  that  produced  by  breathing  a  freer  air,  after 
having  been  too  long  compelled  to  respire  the  pent 
atmosphere  of  a  dungeon.  The  former  regarded  her 
pupil  with  eyes  in  which  open  affection  struggled 
with  deep  inward  solicitude  ;  but  neither  spoke, 
since  a  slight  movement  near  the  door  of  the  cabin 
reminded  them  they  were  not  alone. 

"  Would  you  have  further  music,  Madam  ?"  asked 
Roderick,  in  a  smothered  voice,  stealing  timidly  out 
of  the  shadow  as  he  spoke  ;  "  I  will  sing  you  to  sleep 
if  you  will ;  but  I  am  choaked  when  he  bids  me  thus 
be  merry  against  my  feelings." 

The  brow  of  the  governess  had  already  contract 


388  THE    RED    ROVER. 

ed,  and  she  was  evidently  preparing  herself  to  give 
a  stern  and  repulsive  answer ;  but,  as  the  plaintive 
tones,  and  shrinking,  submissive  form  of  the  other, 
pleaded  strongly  to  her  heart,  the  frown  passed  away, 
leaving  in  its  place  a  mild  reproving  look,  like  that 
which  chastens  the  frown  of  maternal  concern. 

"  Roderick,"  she  said,  "  I  thought  we  should  have 
seen  you  no  more  to-night!" 

"  You  heard  the  gong.  Although  he  can  be  so  gay, 
and  can  raise  such  thrilling  sounds  in  his  pleasanter 
moments,  you  have  never  yet  listened  to  him  in 
anger." 

"  And  is  his  anger,  then,  so  very  fearful  ?" 

"  Perhaps  to  me  it  is  more  frightful  than  to  others ; 
but  I  find  nothing  so  ternole  as  a  word  of  his,  when 
his  mind  is  moody." 

"  He  is  then  harsh  to  you  ?" 

"  Never." 

"  You  contradict  yourself,  Roderick.  He  is,  and 
he  is  not.  Have  you  not  said  how  terrible  you  find 
his  moody  language?" 

"  Yes  ;  for  I  find  it  changed.  Once  he  was  never 
thoughtful,  or  out  of  humour,  but  latterly  he  is  not 
himself." 

Mrs  Wyllys  did  not  answer.  The  language  of  the 
boy  was  certainly  much  more  intelligible  to  herself 
than  to  her.  young  and  attentive,  but  unsuspecting, 
companion ;  for,  while  she  motioned  to  the  lad  to 
retire,  Gertrude  manifested  a  desire  to  gratify  the 
curious  interest  she  felt  in  the  life  and  manners  of 
the  freebooter.  The  signal,  however,  was  authori 
tatively  repeated,  and  the  lad  slowly,  and  quite  evi 
dently  with  reluctance,  withdrew. 

The  governess  and  her  pupil  then  retired  into 
their  own  state-room ;  and,  after  devoting  many 
minutes  to  those  nightly  offerings  and  petitions  which 
neither  ever  suffered  any  circumstances  to  cause 
them  to  neglect,  they  slept  in  the  consciousness  of 


THE    RED    ROVER.  389 

nnocence  and  in  the  hope  of  an  all-powerful  pro 
tection.  Though  the  bell  of  the  ship  regularly  sound 
ed  the  hours  throughout  the  watches  of  the  night, 
scarcely  another  sound  arose,  during  the  darkness, 
to  disturb  the  calm  which  seemed  to  have  settled 
equally  on  the  ocean  and  all  that  floated  on  its  bosom. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

"  But,  for  the  miracle, 

I  mean  our  preservation,  few  in  millions 
Can  speak  like  us."— Tempest. 

THE  "  Dolphin"  might  well  have  been  likened  to  a 
slumbering  beast  of  prey,  during  those  moments  of 
treacherous  calm.  But  as  nature  limits  the  period 
of  repose  to  the  creatures  of  the  animal  world,  so  it 
would  seem  that  the  inactivity  of  the  freebooters 
was  not  doomed  to  any  long  continuance.  With  the 
morning  sun  a  breeze  came  over  the  water,  breath 
ing  the  flavour  of  the  land,  to  set  the  sluggish  ship 
again  in  motion.  Throughout  all  that  day,  with  a 
wide  reach  of  canvas  spreading  along  her  booms, 
her  course  was  held  towards  the  south.  Watch  suc 
ceeded  watch,  and  night  came  after  day,  and  still  no 
change  was  made  in  her  direction.  Then  the  blue 
islands  were  seen  heaving  up,  one  after  another,  out 
of  the  sea.  The  prisoners  of  the  Rover,  for  thus 
the  females  were  now  constrained  to  consider  them 
selves,  silently  watched  each  hillock  of  green  that 
the  vessel  glided  past,  each  naked  and  sandy  key,  or 
each  mountain  side,  until,  by  the  calculations  of  the 
governess,  they  were  already  steering  amid  the  west 
ern  Archipelago. 

During  all  this  time  no  question  was  asked  which 
in  the  smallest  manner  betrayed  to  the  Rover  the 
consciousness  of  his  guests  that  he  was  not  conduct- 
2K2 


390  THE    RED    ROVER 

ing  them  towards  the  promised  port  of  the  Continent 
Gertrude  wept  over  the  sorrow  her  father  would 
feel,  when  he  should  believe  her  fate  involved  in 
that  of  the  unfortunate  Bristol  trader;  but  her  tears 
flowed  in  private,  or  were  freely  poured  upon  the 
sympathizing  bosom  of  her  governess.  Wilder  she 
avoided,  with  an  intuitive  consciousness  that  he  wag 
no  longer  the  character  she  had  wished  to  believe , 
but  to  all  in  the  ship  she  struggled  to  maintain  an 
equal  air  and  a  serene  eye.  In  this  deportment,  far 
safer  than  any  impotent  entreaties  might  have  proved, 
she  was  strongly  supported  by  her  governess,  whose 
knowledge  of  mankind  had  early  taught  her  that 
virtue  was  never  §o  imposing,  in  the  moments  of 
trial,  as  when  it  knew  best  how  to  maintain  its  equa 
nimity.  On  the  other  hand,  both  the  Commander  of 
the  ship  and  his  lieutenant  sought  no  other  commu 
nication  with  the  inmates  of  the  cabin,  than  courtesy 
appeared  absolutely  to  require. 

The  former,  as  though  repenting  already  of  having 
laid  so  bare  the  capricious  humours  of  his  mind, 
drew  gradually  into  himself,  neither  seeking  nor  per 
mitting  familiarity  with  any ;  while  the  latter  ap 
peared  perfectly  conscious  of  the  constrained  mien 
of  the  governess,  and  of  the  altered  though  still  pity 
ing  eye  of  her  pupil.  Little  explanation  was  neces 
sary  to  acquaint  Wilder  with  the  reasons  of  this 
change.  Instead  of  seeking  the  means  to  vindicate 
his  character,  however,  he  rather  imitated  their  re 
serve.  Little  else  was  wanting  to  assure  his  former 
friends  of  the  nature  of  his  pursuits ;  for  even  Mrs 
Wyllys  admitted  to  her  charge,  that  he  acted  like 
one  in  whom  depravity  had  not  yet  made  such  pro 
gress  as  to  have  destroyed  that  consciousness  which 
is  ever  the  surest  test  of  innocence. 

We  shall  not  detain  the  narrative,  to  dwell  upon 
the  natural  regrets  in  which  Gertrude  indulged,  as 
this  sad  conviction  forced  itself  upon  her  understand 


THE    RED    ROVER,  391 

mg,  nor  to  relate  the  gentle  wishes  in  which  she  did 
not  think  it  wrong  to  indulge,  that  one,  who  certainly 
was  master  of  so  manjr  manly  and  generous  quali 
ties,  might  soon  be  made  to  see  the  error  of  his  life, 
and  to  return  to  a  course  for  which  even  her  cold 
and  nicely  judging  governess  allowed  nature  had  so 
eminently  endowed  him.  Perhaps  the  kind  emotions 
that  had  been  awakened  in  her  bosom,  by  the  events 
of  the  last  fortnight,  were  not  content  to  exhibit 
themselves  in  wishes  alone,  and  that  petitions  more 
personal,  and  even  more  fervent  than  common,  min 
gled  in  her  prayers ;  but  this  is  a  veil  which  it  is  not 
our  province  to  raise,  the  heart  of  one  so  pure  and 
so  ingenuous  being  the  best  repository  for  its  own 
gentle  feelings. 

For  several  days  the  ship  had  been  contending 
with  the  unvarying  winds  of  those  regions.  Instead  of 
struggling,  however,  like  a  cumbered  trader,  to  gain 
some  given  port,  the  "  Rover11  suddenly  altered  her 
course,  and  glided  through  one  of  the  many  passages 
that  offered,  with  the  ease  of  a  bird  that  is  settling 
swiftly  to  its  nest  A  hundred  different  sails  were 
seen  steering  among  the  islands,  but  all  were  avoid 
ed  alike ;  the  policy  of  the  freebooters  teaching  them 
the  necessity  of  moderation,  in  a  sea  so  crowded 
with  vessels  of  war.  After  the  vessel  had  shot 
through  one  of  the  straits  which  divide  the  chain  of 
the  Antilles,  she  issued  in  safety  on  the  more  open 
sea  which  separates  them  from  the  Spanish  Main. 
The  moment  the  passage  was  effected,  and  a  broad 
and  clear  horizon  was  seen  stretching  on  every  side 
of  them,  a  manifest  alteration  occurred  in  the  mien 
of  every  individual  of  the  crew.  The  brow  of  the 
Rover  himself  lost  its  contraction ;  and  the  look  of 
•care,  which  had  wrapped  the  whole  man  in  a  man 
tle  of  reserve,  disappeared,  leaving  him  the  reckless, 
wayward  being  we  have  more  than  once  described. 
Even  the  men,  whose  vigilance  had  needed  no  quick 


392  THE    RED    ROVER. 

ening  in  running  the  gauntlet  of  the  cruisers  which 
were  known  to  swarm  in  the  narrower  seas,  appeared 
to  breathe  a  freer  air,  and  sounds  of  merriment  and 
thoughtless  gaiety  were  once  more  heard  in  a  place 
over  which  the  gloom  of  distrust  had  been  so  long 
and  so  heavily  cast. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  governess  saw  new  ground 
for  uneasiness  in  the  course  the  vessel  was  taking. 
While  the  islands  were  in  view,  she  had  hoped,  and 
surely  not  without  reason,  that  their  captor  only 
awaited  a  suitable  occasion  to  place  them  in  safety 
within  the  influence  of  the  laws  of  some  of  the 
colonial  governments.  Her  own  observation  told 
her  there  was  so  much  of  what  was  once  good,  if  not 
noble,  mingled  with  the  lawlessness  of  the  two  prin 
cipal  individuals  in  the  vessel,  that  she  saw  nothing 
that  was  visionary  in  such  an  expectation.  Even 
the  tales  of  the  time,  which  recounted  the  desperate 
acts  of  the  freebooter,  with  not  a  little  of  wild  and 
fanciful  exaggeration,  did  not  forget  to  include  num 
berless  striking  instances  of  marked,  and  even  chiv 
alrous  generosity.  In  short,  he  bore  the  character 
of  one  who,  while  he  declared  himself  the  enemy 
of  all,  knew  how  to  distinguish  between  the  weak 
and  the  strong,  and  who  often  found  as  much  gratifi 
cation  in  repairing  the  wrongs  of  the  former,  as  in 
humbling  the  pride  of  the  latter. 

But  all  her  agreeable  anticipations  from  this  quar 
ter  were  forgotten  when  the  last  island  of  the  groupe 
sunk  into  the  sea  behind  them,  and  the  ship  lay  alone 
on  an  ocean  which  showed  not  another  object  above 
its  surface.  As  if  now  ready  to  lay  aside  the  mask 
the  Rover  ordered  the  sails  to  be  reduced,  and,  ne 
glecting  the  favourable  breeze,  the  vessel  to  be 
brought  to  the  wind.  In  a  word,  as  if  no  object  call 
ed  for  the  immediate  attention  of  her  crew,  the 
4fc  Dolphin"  came  to  a  stand,  in  the  midst  of  the  wa- 
er,  her  officers  and  people  abandoning  themselves 


THE    RED    ROVER.  393 

to  their  pleasures,  or  to  idleness,  as  whim  or  inclina 
tion  dictated. 

"  I  had  hoped  that  your  convenience  would  have 
permitted  us  to  land  in  some  of  his  Majesty's  islands," 
said  Mrs  Wyllys,  speaking  for  the  first  time  since  her 
suspicions  had  been  awakened  on  the  subject  of  her 
quitting  the  ship,  and  addressing  her  words  to  the 
self-styled  Captain  Heidegger,  just  after  the  order 
to  heave-to  the  vessel  had  been  obeyed.  "  I  fear 
you  find  it  irksome  to  be  so  long  dispossessed  of  your 
cabin.1' 

"  It  cannot  be  better  occupied,"  he  rather  evasive 
ly  replied  ;  though  the  observant  and  anxious  gov 
erness  fancied  his  eye  was  bolder,  and  his  air  under 
less  restraint,  than  when  she  had  before  dwelt  on 
the  same  topic.  "  If  custom  did  not  require  that  a 
ship  should  wear  the  colours  of  some  people,  mine 
should  always  sport  those  of  the  fair." 

"  And,  as  it  is  ?" 

"  As  it  is,  I  hoist  the  emblems  that  belong  to  the 
service  I  am  in." 

"  In  fifteen  days,  that  you  have  been  troubled  with 
my  presence,  it  has  never  been  my  good  fortune  to 
see  those  colours  set." 

44  No  !"  exclaimed  the  Rover,  glancing  hw  eye  at 
her,  as  if  to  penetrate  her  thoughts :  "  Then  shall 
the  uncertainty  cease  on  the  sixteenth. — Who's  there, 
abaft  ?" 

"  No  one  better  nor  worse  than  Richard  Fid," 
returned  the  individual  in  question,  lifting  his  head 
from  out  a  locker,  into  which  it  had  been  thrust,  as 
though  its  owner  searched  for  some  mislaid  imple 
ment,  and  who  added  a  little  quickly,  when  he  as 
certained  by  whom  he  was  addressed,  "  and  always 
at  your  Honour's  orders." 

44  Ah  !  'Tis  the  friend  of  our  friend,"  the  Rover 
observed  to  Mrs  Wyllys,  with  an  emphasis  which 
the  other  understood.  44  He  shall  be  my  interpreter 


394  THE    RED    ROVER. 

Come  hither,  lad ;  I  have  a  word  to  exchange  with 
you." 

"  A  thousand  at  your  service,  sir,"  returned  Rich 
ard,  unhesitatingly  complying  ;  "  for,  though  no  great 
talker,  I  have  always  something  uppermost  in  my 
mind,  which  can  be  laid  hold  of  at  need." 

"  I  hope  you  find  that  your  hammock  swings  easily 
in  my  ship  ?" 

"  I'll  not  deny  it,  your  Honour ;  for  an  easier  craft, 
especially  upon  a  bow-line,  might  be  hard  to  find." 

"  And  the  cruise? — I  hope  you  also  find  the  cruise 
such  as  a  seaman  loves," 

"  D'ye  see,  sir,  I  was  sent  from  home  with  little 
schooling,  and  so  I  seldom  make  so  free  as  to  pre 
tend  to  read  the  Captain's  orders." 

"  But  still  you  have  your  inclinations,"  said  Mrs 
Wyllys,  firmly,  as  though  determined  to  push  the  in 
vestigation  even  further  than  her  companion  had 
intended. 

"  I  can't  say  that  I'm  wanting  in  natural  feeling,  your 
Ladyship,"  returned  Fid,  endeavouring  to  manifest 
his  admiration  of  the  sex,  by  the  awkward  bow  he 
made  to  the  governess  as  its  representative,  "  tho'f 
crosses  and  mishaps  have  come  athwart  me  as  well  as 
better  men.  I  thought  as  strong  a  splice  was  laid,  be 
tween  me  and  Kate  Whiffle,  as  was  ever  turned  into 
a  sheet-cable  ;  but  then  came  the  law,  with  its  regu 
lations  and  shipping  articles,  luffing  short  athwart 
my  happiness,  and  making  a  wreck  at  once  of  all 
the  poor  girl's  hopes,  and  a  Flemish  account  of  my 
comfort." 

"  It  was  proved  that  she  had  another  husband  ?' 
said  the  Rover,  nodding  his  head,  understandingly. 

"Four,  your  Honour.  The  girl  had  a  love  of 
company,  and  it  grieved  her  to  the  heart  to  see  an 
empty  house :  But  then,  as  it  was  seldom  more  than 
one  of  us  could  be  in  port  at  a  time,  there  was  no 
such  need  to  make  the  noise  they  did  about  the  trifle 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


But  envy  did  it  all,  sir;  envy,  and  the  greediness  of 
the  land-sharks.  Had  every  woman  in  the  parish  as 
many  husbands  as  Kate,  the  devil  a  bit  would  they 
have  taken  up  the  precious  time  of  judge  and  jury, 
in  looking  into  the  manner  in  which  a  wench  like 
her  kept  a  quiet  household." 

"  And,  since  that  unfortunate  repulse,  you  have 
kept  yourself  altogether  out  of  the  hands  of  matri 
mony  ?" 

"  Ay,  ay  ;  since,  your  Honour,"  returned  Fid,  giv 
ing  his  Commander  another  of  those  droll  looks,  in 
which  a  peculiar  cunning  struggled  with  a  more  di 
rect  and  straight-going  honesty  ;  "  since,  as  you  say 
rightly,  sir  ;  though  they  talked  of  a  small  matter  of 
a  bargain  that  I  had  made  with  another  woman,  my 
self;  but,  in  overhauling  the  affair,  they  found,  that, 
as  the  shipping  articles  with  poor  Kate  wouldn't 
hold  together,  why,  they  could  make  nothing  at  all 
of  me  ;  so  I  was  white-washed  like  a  queen's  par 
lour,  and  sent  adrift." 

"  And  all  this  occurred  after  your  acquaintance 
with  Mr  Wilder?" 

"  Afore,  your  Honour;  afore.  I  was  but  a  younker 
in  the  time  of  it,  seeing  that  it  is  four-and-twenty 
years,  come  May  next,  since  I  have  been  towing  at 
the  stern  of  master  Harry.  But  then,  as  I  have  had 
a  sort  of  family  of  my  own,  since  that  day,  why,  the 
less  need,  you  know,  to  be  birthing  myself  again  in 
any  other  man's  hammock." 

"  You  were  saying,  it  is  four-and-twenty  years," 
interrupted  Mrs  Wyllys,  "  since  you  made  the  ac 
quaintance  of  Mr  Wilder  ?" 

"  Acquaintance  !  Lord,  my  Lady,  little  did  he 
know  of  acquaintances  at  that  time;  though,  bless 
him  !  the  lad  has  had  occasion  to  remember  it  often 
enough  since." 

"  The  meeting  of  two  men,  of  so  singular  merit, 


896  THE    RED    ROVER. 

must  have  been  somewhat  remarkable,"  observed 
the  Rover. 

u  It  was,  for  that  matter,  remarkable  enough,  your 
Honour;  though,  as  to  the  merit,  notwithstanding 
master  Harry  is  often  for  overhauling  that  part  of 
the  account,  I've  set  it  down  for  just  nothing  at  all.'1 

"  I  confess,  that,  in  a  case  where  two  men,  both 
of  whom  are  so  well  qualified  to  judge,  are  of  dif 
ferent  opinions,  I  feel  at  a  loss  to  know  which  can 
have  the  right.  Perhaps,  by  the  aid  of  the  facts,  I 
might  form  a  truer  judgment." 

"  Your  Honour  forgets  the  Guinea,  who  is  alto 
gether  of  my  mind  in  the  matter,  seeing  no  great 
merit  in  the  thing  either.  But,  as  you  are  saying,  sir, 
reading  the  log  is  the  only  true  way  to  know  how 
fast  a  ship  can  go ;  and  so,  if  this  Lady  and  your 
Honour  have  a  mind  to  come  at  the  truth  of  the  af 
fair,  why,  you  have  only  to  say  as  much,  and  I  will 
put  it  all  before  you  in  creditable  language." 

"  Ah  !  there  is  reason  in  your  proposition,"  return 
ed  the  Rover,  motioning  to  his  companion  to  follow 
to  a  part  of  the  poop  where  they  were  less  exposed 
to  the  observations  of  inquisitive  eyes.  "  Now,  place 
the  whole  clearly  before  us  ;  and  then  you  may  con 
sider  the  merits  of  the  question  disposed  of  defini 
tively." 

Fid  was  far  from  discovering  the  smallest  reluct 
ance  to  enter  on  the  required  detail ;  and,  by  the 
time  he  had  cleared  his  throat,  freshened  his  supply 
of  the  weed,  and  otherwise  disposed  himself  to  pro 
ceed,  Mrs  Wyllys  had  so  far  conquered  her  reluct 
ance  to  pry  clandestinely  into  the  secrets  of  others, 
as  to  yield  to  a  curiosity  which  she  found  unconquer 
able,  and  to  take  the  seat  to  which  her  companion 
invited  her  by  a  gesture  of  his  hand. 

"  I  was  sent  early  to  sea,  your  Honour,  by  my  fa 
ther,"  commenced  Fid,  after  these  little  prelimina- 


THE    RED    ROVER,  397 

ries  had  been  duly  observed,  "  who  was,  like  myself, 
a  man  that  passed  more  of  his  time  on  the  watei 
than  on  dry  ground ;  though,  as  he  was  nothing  more 
than  a  fisherman,  he  generally  kept  the  land  aboard 
which  is,  after  all,  little  better  than  living  on  it  alto 
gether.  Howsomever,  when  I  went,  I  made  a  broad 
offing  at  once,  fetching  up  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Horn,  the  very  first  passage  I  made;  which  was  no 
small  journey  for  a  new  beginner ;  but  then,  as  I 
was  only  eight  years  old" 

"  Eight !  you  are  now  speaking  of  yourself,"  in 
terrupted  the  disappointed  governess. 

"  Certain,  Madam  ;  and,  though  genteeler  people 
might  be  talked  of,  it  would  be  hard  to  turn  the  con 
versation  on  any  man  who  knows  better  how  to  rig 
or  how  to  strip  a  ship  I  was  beginning  at  the  right 
end  of  my  story  ;  but,  as  I  fancied  your  Ladyship 
might  not  choose  to  waste  time  in  hearing  concern 
ing  my  father  and  mother,  I  cut  the  matter  short,  by 
striking  in  at  eight  years  old,  overlooking  all  about 
my  birth  and  name,  and  such  other  matters  as  are 
usually  logged,  in  a  fashion  out  of  all  reason,  in  your 
every-day  sort  of  narratives." 

"Proceed,"  she  rejoined,  with  a  species  of  com 
pelled  resignation. 

"  My  mind  is  pretty  much  like  a  ship  that  is  about 
to  slip  off  its  ways,"  resumed  Fid.  "  If  she  makes 
a  fair  start,  and  there  is  neither  jam  nor  dry-rub, 
smack  see  goes  into  the  water,  like  a  sail  let  run  in 
a  calm  ;  but,  if  she  once  brings  up,  a  good  deal  of 
labour  is  to  be  gone  through  to  set  her  in  motion 
again.  Now,  in  order  to  wedge  up  my  ideas,  and 
to  get  the  story  slushed,  so  that  I  can  slip  through  it 
with  ease,  it  is  needful  to  overrun  the  part  which  1 
have  just  let  go ;  which  is,  how  my  father  was  a 
fisherman,  and  howl  doubled  the  Horn — Ah  I  here 
I  have  it  again,  clear  of  kinks,  fake  above  fake,  like 
a  well-coiled  cable ;  so  that  I  can  pay  it  out  as  easily 
2  L 


THE    RED    ROVER. 

as  the  boatswain's  yeoman  can  lay  his  hand  on  a  bit 
of  ratling  stuff.  Well,  I  doubled  the  Horn,  as  I  was 
saying,  and  might  have  been  the  matter  of  four  years 
cruising  about  among  the  islands  and  seas  of  those 
parts,  which  were  none  of  the  best  known  then,  or 
for  that  matter,  now.  After  this,  I  served  in  his  Ma 
jesty's  fleet  a  whole  war,  and  got  as  much  honour  aa 
I  could  stow  beneath  hatches.  Well,  then,  I  fell  in 
with  the  Guinea — the  black,  my  Lady,  that  you  see 
turning  in  a  new  clue-garnet-block  for  the  starboard 
clue  of  the  fore-course." 

"  Ay ;  then  you  fell  in  with  the  African,"  said  the 
Rover. 

"  Then  we  made  our  acquaintance  ;  and,  although 
his  colour  is  no  whiter  than  the  back  of  a  whale,  I 
care  not  who  knows  it,  after  master  Harry,  there  is 
no  man  living  who  has  an  honester  way  with  him 
or  in  whose  company  I  take  greater  satisfaction.  To 
be  sure,  your  Honour,  the  fellow  is  something  con 
tradictory,  and  has  a  great  opinion  of  his  strength 
and  thinks  his  equal  is  not  to  be  found  at  a  weather 
earing,  or  in  the  bunt  of  a  topsail ;  but  then  he  is  no 
better  than  a  black,  and  one  is  not  to  be  too  particu 
lar  in  looking  into  the  faults  of  such  as  are  not  actu 
ally  his  fellow  creatures." 

44  No,  no ;  that  would  be  uncharitable  in  the  ex 
treme." 

44  The  very  words  the  chaplain  used  to  let  fly 
aboard  the  4  Brunswick  !'  It  is  a  great  thing  to  have 
schooling,  your  Honour;  since,  if  it  does  nothing 
else,  it  fits  a  man  for  a  boatswain,  and  puts  him  in 
the  track  of  steering  the  shortest  course  to  heaven. 
But,  as  I  was  saying,  there  was  I  and  Guinea  ship 
mates,  and  in  a  reasonable  way  friends,  for  five  years 
more  ;  and  then  the  time  arrived  when  we  met  with 
the  mishap  of  the  wreck  in  the  West-Indies." 

"  What  wreck  ?"  demanded  his  officer. 

**  I  beg  your  Honour's  pardon  ;  I  never  swing  my 


THE    RED    ROVER.  399 

head-yards  till  I'm  sure  the  ship  won't  luff  back  into 
the  wind ;  and,  before  I  tell  the  particulars  of  the 
wreck,  I  will  overrun  my  ideas,  to  see  that  nothing 
is  forgotten  that  should  of  right  be  first  mentioned." 

The  Rover,  who  saw,  by  the  'uneasy  glances  that 
she  cast  aside,  and  by  the  expression  of  her  counte 
nance,  how  impatient  his  companion  was  becoming 
for  a  sequel  that  approached  so  tardily,  and  how 
much  she  dreaded  an  interruption,  made  a  significant 
sign  to  her  to  permit  the  straight-going  tar  to  take 
his  own  course,  as  the  best  means  of  coming  at  the 
facts  they  both  longed  so  much  to  hear.  Left  to 
himself,  Fid  soon  took  the  necessary  review  of  the 
transactions,  in  his  own  quaint  manner ;  and,  having 
happily  found  that  nothing  which  he  considered  as 
germain  to  the  present  relation  was  omitted,  he  pro 
ceeded  at  once  to  the  more  material,  and  what  was 
to  his  auditors  by  far  the  most  interesting,  portion  of 
his  narrative. 

"  Well,  as  I  was  telling  your  Honour,"  he  contin 
ued,  "  Guinea  was  then  a  maintopman,  and  I  was 
stationed  in  the  same  place  aboard  the  '  Proserpine,' 
a  quick-going  two-and-thirty,  when  we  fell  in  with  a 
bit  of  a  smuggler,  between  the  islands  and  the  Span 
ish  Main ;  and  so  the  Captain  made  a  prize  of  her, 
and  ordered  her  into  port ;  for  which  I  have  always 
supposed,  as  he  was  a  sensible  man,  he  had  his  or 
ders.  But  this  is  neither  here  nor  there,  seeing  that 
the  craft  had  got  to  the  end  of  her  rope,  and  founder 
ed  in  a  heavy  hurricane  that  came  over  us,  mayhap 
a  couple  of  days'  run  to  leeward  of  our  haven. 
Well,  she  was  a  small  boat;  and,  as  she  took  it  into 
her  mind  to  roll  over  on  her  side  before  she  went  to 
sleep,  the  master's  mate  in  charge,  and  three  others, 
slid  off  her  decks  to  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  as  I  have 
always  had  reason  to  believe,  never  having  heard 
any  thing  to  the  contrary.  It  was  here  that  Guinea 
Grst  served  me  the  good  turn ;  for,  though  we  had 


400  THE    RED    ROVER. 

often  before  shared  hunger  and  thirst  together,  this 
was  the  first  time  he  ever  jumped  overboard  to  keep 
me  from  taking  in  salt  water  like  a  fish." 

"  He  kept  you  /ram  drowning  with  the  rest?" 

"  Pll  not  say  just  that  much,  your  Honour ;  for 
there  is  no  knowing  what  lucky  accident  might  have 
done  the  same  good  turn  for  me.  Howsomever,  see 
ing  that  I  can  swim  no  better  nor  worse  than  a  dou 
ble-headed  shot,  I  have  always  been  willing  to  give 
the  black  credit  for  as  much,  though  little  has  ever 
been  said  between  us  on  the  subject;  for  no  other 
reason,  as  I  can  see,  than  that  settling-day  has  not 
yet  come.  Well,  we  contrived  -to  get  the  boat  afloat, 
and  enough  into  it  to  keep  soul  and  body  together, 
and  made  the  best  of  our  way  for  the  land,  seeing 
that  the  cruise  was,  to  all  useful  purposes,  over  in 
that  smuggler.  I  needn't  be  particular  in  telling  this 
lady  of  the  nature  of  boat-duty,  as  she  has  lately 
had  some  experience  in  that  way  herself;  but  I  can 
tell  her  this  much  :  Had  it  not  been  for  that  boat  in 
which  the  black  and  myself  spent  the  better  part  of 
ten  days,  she  would  have  fared  but  badly  in  her  own 
navigation." 

"  Explain  your  meaning." 

"  My  meaning  is  plain  enough,  your  Honour,  which 
is,  that  little  else  than  the  handy  way  of  master  Harry 
in  a  boat  could  have  kept  the  Bristol  trader's  launch 
above  water,  the  day  we  fell  in  with  it." 

"  But  in  what  manner  was  your  own  shipwreck 
connected  with  the  safety  of  Mr  Wilder?"  demand 
ed  the  governess,  unable  any  longer  to  await  the  dil 
atory  explanation  of  the  prolix  seaman. 

"  In  a  very  plain  and  natural  fashion,  my  Lady,  as 
you  will  say  yourself,  when  you  come  to  hear  the 
pitiful  part  of  my  tale.  Well,  there  were  I  and 
Guinea,  rowing  about  in  the  ocean,  on  short  allow 
ance  of  all  things  but  work,  for  two  nights  and  a  day, 
heading-in  for  the  'slands  ;  for,  though  no  great  nav- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  401 

igators,  we  could  smell  the  land,  and  so  we  pulled 
away  lustily,  when  you  consider  it  was  a  race  in 
which  life  was  the  wager,  until  we  made,  in  the 
pride  of  the  morning,  as  it  might  be  here,  at  east- 
and-by-south,  a  ship  under  bare  poles  ;  if  a  vessel 
can  be  called  bare  that  had  nothing  better  than  the 
stumps  of  her  three  masts  standing,  and  they  with 
out  rope  or  rag  to  tell  one  her  rig  or  nation.  How- 
somever,  as  there  were  three  naked  sticks  left,  I  have 
always  put  her  down  for  a  full-rigged  ship ;  and, 
when  we  got  nigh  enough  to  take  a  look  at  her  hull, 
I  made  bold  to  say  she  was  of  English  build." 

"  You  boarded  her,"  observed  the  Rover. 

"  A  small  task  that,  your  Honour,  since  a  starved 
dog  was  the  whole  crew  she  could  muster  to  keep 
us  off.  It  was  a  solemn  sight  when  we  got  on  her 
decks,  and  one  that  bears  hard  on  my  manhood," 
continued  Fid,  with  an  air  that  grew  more  serious 
as  he  proceeded,  u  whenever  1  have  occasion  to 
overhaul  the  log-book  of  memory." 

"  You  found  her  people  suffering  of  want !" 

"  We  found  a  noble  ship,  as  helpless  as  a  hallibut 
in  a  tub.  There  she  lay,  a  craft  of  some  four  hundred 
tons,  water-logged,  and  motionless  as  a  church.  It 
always  gives  me  great  reflection,  sir,  when  1  see  a 
noble  vessel  brought  to  such  a  strait ;  for  one  may 
liken  her  to  a  man  who  has  been  docked  of  hrs  fins, 
and  who  is  getting  to  be  good  for  little  else  than  to 
be  set  upon  a  cat-head  to  look  out  for  squalls." 

"  The  ship  was  then  deserted  ?" 

"  Ay,  the  people  had  left  her,  sir,  or  had  been 
washed  away  in  the  gust  that  had  laid  her  over.  I 
never  could  come  at  the  truth  of  them  particulars 
The  dog  had  been  mischievous,  I  conclude,  about 
the  decks ;  and  so  he  had  been  lashed  to  a  timber- 
head,  the  which  saved  his  life,  since,  happily  for  him 
he  found  himself  on  the  weather-side  when  the  hull 
righted  a  little,  after  her  spars  gave  way.  Well,  sir 
2L2 


402  THE    RED    ROVER. 

there  was  the  dog,  and  not  much  else,  as  we  could 
see,  though  we  spent  half  a  day  in  rummaging  round, 
in  order  to  pick  up  any  small  matter  that  might  be 
useful ;  but  then,  as  the  entrance  to  the  hold  and 
cabin  was  full  of  water,  why,  we  made  no  great 
affair  of  the  salvage,  after  all." 

"  And  then  you  left  the  wreck  ?" 

"  Not  yet,  your  Honour.  While  knocking  about 
among  the  bits  of  rigging  and  lumber  above  board, 
says  G  uinea,  says  he, l  Mister  Dick,  I  hear  some  one 
making  their  plaints  below.'  Now,  I  had  heard  the 
same  noises  myself,  sir ;  but  had  set  them  down  as  the 
spirits  of  the  people  moaning  over  their  losses,  and 
had  said  nothing  of  the  same,  for  fear  of  stirring  up 
the  superstition  of  the  black ;  for  the  best  of  them 
are  no  better  than  superstitious  niggers,  my  Lady ; 
so  I  said  nothing  of  what  I  had  heard,  until  he  saw 
fit  to  broach  the  subject  himself.  Then  we  both 
turned-to  to  listening  with  a  will ;  and  sure  enough 
the  groans  began  to  take  a  human  sound.  It  was  a 
good  while,  howsomever,  before  I  could  make  up 
whether  it  was  any  thing  more  than  the  complaining 
of  the  hulk  itself;  for  you  know,  my  Lady,  that  a 
ship  which  is  about  to  sink  makes  her  lamentation? 
just  like  any  other  living  thing." 

u  I  do,  I  do,"  returned  the  governess,  shuddering. 
"  I  have  heard  them,  and  never  will  my  memory 
lose  the  recollection  of  the  sounds." 

"Ay,  I  thought  you  might  know  something  of  the 
same ;  and  solemn  groans  they  are  :  But,  as  the  hulk 
kept  rolling  on  the  top  of  the  sea,  and  no  further 
signs  of  her  going  down,  I  began  to  think  it  best  to 
cut  into  her  abaft,  in  order  to  make  sure  that  some 
miserable  wretch  had  not  been  caught  in  his  ham 
mock,  at  the  time  she  went  over.  Well,  good  will, 
and  an  axe,  soon  let  us  into  the  secret  of  the  moans." 

"  You  found  a  child  ?" 
And  its  mother,  my  Lady.     As  good  luck  would 


THE    RED    ROVER.  403 

have  it,  they  were  in  a  birth  on  the  weather-side 
and  as  yet  the  water  had  not  reached  them.  But 
pent  air  and  hunger  had  nearly  proved  as  bad  as  the 
brine.  The  lady  was  in  the  agony  when  we  got  her 
out ;  and  as  to  the  boy,  proud  and  strong  as  you  now 
see  him  there  on  yonder  gun,  my  Lady,  he  was  just 
so  miserable,  that  it  was  no  small  matter  to  make 
him  swallow  the  drop  of  wine  and  water  that  the 
Lord  had  left  us,  in  order,  as  I  have  often  thought 
since,  to  bring  him  up  to  be,  as  he  at  this  moment  is, 
the  pride  of  the  ocean  !" 

"But,  the  mother?" 

"  The  mother  had  given  the  only  morsel  of  biscuit 
she  had  to  the  child,  and  was  dying,  in  order  that 
the  urchin  might  live.  I  never  could  get  rightly  into 
the  meaning  of  the  thing,  my  Lady,  why  a  woman, 
who  is  no  better  than  a  Lascar  in  matters  of  strength, 
nor  any  better  than  a  booby  in  respect  of  courage, 
should  be  able  to  let  go  her  hold  of  life  in  this  quiet 
fashion,  when  many  a  stout  mariner  would  be  fight 
ing  for  each  mouthful  of  air  the  Lord  might  see  fit 
to  give.  But  there  she  was,  white  as  the  sail  on 
which  the  storm  has  long  beaten,  and  limber  as  a 
pennant  in  a  calm,  with  her  poor  skinny  arm  around 
the  lad,  holding  in  her  hand  the  very  mouthful  that 
might  have  kept  her  own  soul  in  the  body  a  little 
longer." 

"  What  did  she,  when  you  brought  her  to  the 
light?" 

"  What  did  she !"  repeated  Fid,  whose  voice  was 

getting  thick  and  husky,  "  why,  she  did  a  d d 

honest  thing ;  she  gave  the  boy  the  crumb,  and  mo 
tioned,  as  well  as  a  dying  woman  could,  that  we 
should  have  an  eye  over  him,  till  the  cruise  of  life 
was  up." 

"  And  was  that  all  ?" 

"  I  have  always  thought  she  prayed ;  for  some 
thing  passed  between  her  and  one  who  was  not  to 


404  THE    RED    ROVEH. 

be  seen,  if  a  man  might  judge  by  the  fashion  in  which 
her  eyes  were  turned  aloft,  and  her  lips  moved.  I 
hope,  among  others,  she  put  in  a  good  word  for  one 
Richard  Fid  ;  for  certain  she  had  as  little  need  to  be 
asking  for  herself  as  any  body.  But  no  man  will 
ever  know  what  she  said,  seeing  that  her  mouth  wag 
shut  from  that  time  for  ever  after." 

"She  died!" 

"  Sorry  am  1  to  say  it.  But  the  poor  lady  was 
past  swallowing  when  she  came  into  our  hands,  and 
then  it  was  but  little  we  had  to  offer  her.  A  quart 
of  water,  with  mayhap  a  gill  of  wine,  a  biscuit,  and 
a  handful  of  rice,  was  no  great  allowance  for  two 
hearty  men  to  pull  a  boat  some  seventy  leagues  with 
in  the  tropics.  Howsomever,  when  we  found  no 
more  was  to  be  got  from  the  wreck,  and  that,  since 
the  air  had  escaped  by  the  hole  we  had  cut,  she  was 
settling  fast,  we  thought  it  best  to  get  out  of  her ; 
and  sure  enough  we  were  none  too  soon,  seeing  that 
she  went  under  just  as  we  had  twitched  our  jolly- 
boat  clear  of  the  suction." 

"  And  the  boy — the  poor  deserted  child  !"  exclaim 
ed  the  governess,  whose  eyes  had  now  filled  to  over 
flowing. 

"  There  you  are  all  aback,  my  Lady.  Instead  of 
deserting  him,  we  brought  him  away  with  us,  as  we 
did  the  only  other  living  creature  to  be  found  about 
the  wreck.  But  we  had  still  a  long  journey  before 
us,  and,  to  make  the  matter  worse,  we  were  out  of 
the  track  of  the  traders.  So  I  put  it  down  as  a  case 
for  a  council  of  all  hands,  which  was  no  more  than 
I  and  the  black,  since  the  lad  was  too  weak  to  talk 
and  little  could  he  have  said  otherwise  in  our  situa 
tion.  So  I  begun  myself,  saying,  says  I, l  Guinea,  we 
must  eat  either  this  here  dog,  or  this  here  boy.  If 
we  eat  the  boy,  we  shall  be  no  better  than  the  peo 
ple  in  your  own  country,  who,  you  know,  my  Lady 
are  cannibals  ;  but  if  we  eat  the  dog,  poor  as  he  is 


THE    RED    ROVER.  405 

we  may  make  out  to  keep  soul  and  body  together, 
and  to  give  the  child  the  other  matters.' — So  Guinea, 
he  says,  says  he,  c  I've  no  occasion  for  food  at  all ; 
give  'em  to  the  boy,'  says  he, ;  seeing  that  he  is  little, 
and  has  need  of  strength.'  Howsomever,  master 
Harry  took  no  great  fancy  to  the  dog,  which  we  soon 
finished  between  us ;  for  the  plain  reason  thai;  he 
was  so  thin.  After  that,  we  had  a  hungry  time  of  it 
ourselves ;  for,  had  we  not  kept  up  the  life  in  the 
lad,  you  know,  it  would  have  slipt  through  our 
fingers." 

"  And  you  fed  the  child,  though  fasting  your 
selves?" 

"  No,  we  wer'n't  altogether  idle,  my  Lady,  seeing 
that  we  kept  our  teeth  jogging  on  the  skin  of  the 
dog,  though  I  will  not  say  that  the  food  was  over 
savoury.  And  then,  as  we  had  no  occasion  to  lose 
time  in  eating,  we  kept  the  oars  going  so  much  the 
livelier.  Well,  we  got  in  at  one  of  the  islands  after 
a  time,  though  neither  1  nor  the  nigger  had  much  to 
boast  of  as  to  strength  or  weight  when  we  made  the 
first  kitchen  we  fell  in  with." 

"  And  the  child  ?" 

u  Oh !  he  was  doing  well  enough ;  for,  as  the  doc 
tors  afterwards  told  us,  the  short  allowance  on  which 
he  was  put  did  him  no  harm." 

"  You  sought  his  friends  ?" 

"  Why,  as  for  that  matter,  my  Lady,  so  far  as  I 
have  been  able  to  discover,  he  was  with  his  best 
friends  already.  We  had  neither  chart  nor  bearings 
by  which  we  knew  how  to  steer  in  search  of  his 
family.  His  name  he  called  master  Harry,  by  which 
it  is  clear  he  was  a  gentleman  born,  as  indeed  any 
one  may  see  by  looking  at  him ;  but  not  another 
word  could  I  learn  of  his  relations  or  country,  ex 
cept  that,  as  he  spoke  the  English  language,  and  was 
found  in  an  English  ship,  there  is  a  natural  reasor 
to  believe  he  is  of  English  build  himself." 


406  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  Did  you  not  learn  the  name  of  the  ship  ?"  de 
manded  the  attentive  Rover,  in  whose  countenance 
the  traces  of  a  lively  interest  were  very  distinctly 
discernible. 

"  Why,  as  to  that  matter,  your  Honour,  schools 
were  scarce  in  my  part  of  the  country;  and  in 
Africa,  you  know,  there  is  no  great  matter  of  learn 
ing  ;  so  that,  had  her  name  been  out  of  water,  which 
it  was  not,  we  might  have  been  bothered  to  read  it 
Howsomever,  there  was  a  horse-bucket  kicking  about 
her  decks,  and  which,  as  luck  would  have  it,  got 
jammed-in  with  the  pumps  in  such  a  fashion  that  it 
did  not  go  overboard  until  we  took  it  with  us.  Well, 
this  bucket  had  a  name  painted  on  it ;  and,  after  we 
had  leisure  for  the  thing,  I  got  Guinea,  who  has  a 
natural  turn  at  tattooing,  to  rub  it  into  my  arm  in 
gunpowder,  as  the  handiest  way  of  logging  these 
small  particulars.  Your  Honour  shall  see  what  the 
black  has  made  of  it." 

So  saying,  Fid  very  coolly  doffed  his  jacket,  and 
laid  bare,  to  the  elbow,  one  of  his  brawny  arms,  on 
which  the  blue  impression  was  still  very  plainly  vis 
ible.  Although  the  letters  were  rudely  imitated,  it 
was  not  difficult  to  read,  in  the  skin,  the  words  "  Ark, 
of  Lynnhaven." 

"  Here,  then,  you  had  a  clue  at  once  to  find  the 
relatives  of  the  boy,"  observed  the  Rover,  after  he 
had  deciphered  the  letters. 

"It  seems  not,  your  Honour;  for  we  took  the 
child  with  us  aboard  the  l  Proserpine,'  and  our  wor 
thy  Captain  carried  sail  hard  after  the  people ;  but 
no  one  could  give  any  tidings  of  such  a  craft  as  the 
1  Ark,  of  Lynnhaven;1  and,  after  a  twelvemonth,  or 
more,  we  were  obliged  to  give  up  the  chase." 

"  Could  the  child  give  no  account  of  his  friends?" 
demanded  the  governess. 

"  But  little,  my  Lady  ;  for  the  reason  he  knew  but 
little  about  himself.  So  we  gave  the  matter  over  al- 


THE   RED   ROVER.  407 

together;  I,  and  Guinea,  and  the  Captain,  and  all  of 
us,  turning-to  to  educate  the  boy.  He  got  his  sea 
manship  of  the  black  and  myself,  and  mayhap  some 
little  of  his  manners  also  ;  and  his  navigation  and 
Latin  of  the  Captain,  who  proved  his  friend  till  such 
a  time  as  he  was  able  to  take  care  of  himself,  and, 
for  that  matter,  some  years  afterwards." 

"And  how  long  did  Mr  Wilder  continue  in  a 
King's  ship  ?"  asked  the  Rover,  in  a  careless  and 
apparently  indifferent  manner. 

"  Long  enough  to  learn  all  that  is  taught  there, 
your  Honour,"  was  the  evasive  reply. 

"  He  came  to  be  an  officer,  I  suppose  ?" 

"  If  he  didn't,  the  King  had  the  worst  of  the  bar 
gain.  —  But  what  is  this  1  see  hereaway,  atween  the 
backstay  and  the  vang  ?  It  looks  like  a  sail  ;  or  is 
it  only  a  gull  flapping  his  wings  before  he  rises  ?" 

"  Sail,  ho  !"  called  the  look-out  from  the  mast 
head.  "  Sail,  ho  !"  was  echoed  from  a  top  and  from 
the  deck  ;  the  glittering  though  distant  object  having 
struck  a  dozen  vigilant  eyes  at  the  same  instant.  The 
Rover  was  compelled  to  lend  his  attention  to  a  sum 
mons  so  often  repeated  ;  and  Fid  profited  by  the  cir 
cumstance  to  quit  the  poop,  with  the  hurry  of  one 
who  was  not  sorry  for  the  interruption.  Then  the 
governess  arose  too,  and,  thoughtful  and  melancholy, 
she  sought  the  privacy  of  her  cabin. 


CHAPTER  XXY. 

"Their  preparation  is  to-day  by  sea."—  Anthony  and  Cleopatra. 

"  SAIL,  ho  !"  in  the  little  frequented  sea  in  which 
the  "  Rover"  lay,  was  a  cry  that  quickened  every 
dull  pulsation  in  the  bosoms  of  her  crew.  Many 
weeks  had  now,  according  to  their  method  of  calcu- 


408  THE    RED    ROVER. 

lation,  been  entirely  lost  in  the  visionary  and  profit 
less  plans  of  their  chief.  They  were  not  of  a  tern 
per  to  reason  on  the  fatality  which  had  forced  the 
Bristol  trader  from  their  toils ;  it  was  enough,  for 
their  rough  natures,  that  the  rich  spoil  had  escaped 
them.  Without  examining  for  the  causes  of  this 
loss,  as  has  been  already  seen,  they  had  been  but  too 
well  disposed  to  visit  their  disappointment  on  the 
head  of  the  innocent  officer  who  was  charged  with 
the  care  of  a  vessel  that  they  already  considered  a 
prize.  Here,  then,  was  at  length  an  opportunity  to 
repair  their  loss.  The  stranger  was  about  to  encoun 
ter  them  in  a  part  of  the  ocean  where  succour  was 
nearly  hopeless,  and  where  time  might  be  afforded 
to  profit,  to  the  utmost,  by  any  success  that  the  free 
booters  should  obtain.  Every  man  in  the  ship  seem 
ed  sensible  of  these  advantages;  and,  as  the  words 
sounded  from  mast  to  yard,  and  from  yard  to  deck, 
they  were  taken  up  in  cheerful  echos  from  fifty 
mouths,  which  repeated  the  cry,  until  it  was  heard 
issuing  from  the  inmost  recesses  of  the  vessel. 

The  Rover  himself  manifested  more  than  usual 
satisfaction  at  this  prospect  of  a  capture.  He  was 
quite  aware  of  the  necessity  of  some  brilliant  or  of 
some  profitable  exploit,  to  curb  the  rising  tempers  of 
his  men ;  and  long  experience  had  taught  him  that 
lie  could  ever  draw  the  cords  of  discipline  the  tight 
est  in  moments  that  appeared  the  most  to  require  the 
exercise  of  his  own  high  courage  and  consummate 
skill.  He  walked  forward,  therefore,  among  his 
people,  with  a  countenance  that  was  no  longer  buried 
in  reserve,  speaking  to  several,  whom  he  addressed 
by  name,  and  of  whom  he  did  not  even  disdain  to 
ask  opinions  concerning  the  character  of  the  distant 
sail.  When  a  sort  of  implied  assurance  that  their 
recent  offences  were  overlooked  had  thus  been  given, 
he  summoned  Wilder,  the  General,  and  one  or  two 
others  of  the  superior  officers,  to  the  poop,  where 


THE    RED    ROVER.  409 

they  all  disposed  themselves  to  make  more  particular 
and  more  certain  observations,  by  the  aid  of  a  half- 
dozen  excellent  glasses. 

Many  minutes  were  now  passed  in  silent  and  in 
tense  scrutiny.  The  day  was  cloudless,  the  wind 
fresh,  without  being  heavy,  the  sea  long,  even,  and 
far  from  high,  and,  in  short,  all  things  combined,  as 
far  as  is  ever  seen  on  the  restless  ocean,  not  only  to 
aid  their  examination,  but  to  favour  those  subsequent 
evolutions  which  each  instant  rendered  more  proba 
ble  would  become  necessary. 

"  It  is  a  ship  !"  exclaimed  the  Rover,  lowering  his 
glass,  the  first  to  proclaim  the  result  of  his  long  and 
close  inspection. 

"  It  is  a  ship !"  echoed  the  General,  across 
whose  disciplined  features  a  ray  of  something  like 
animated  satisfaction  was  making  an  effort  to  display 
itself. 

"  A  full-rigged  ship  !"  continued  a  third,  relieving 
his  eye  in  turn,  and  answering  to  the  grim  smile  of 
the  soldier. 

"  There  must  be  something  to  hold  up  all  those 
lofty  spars,"  resumed  their  Commander.  "A  hull 
of  price  is  beneath. — But  you  say  nothing,  Mr  Wil 
der  !  You  make  her  out" 

"  A  ship  of  size,"  returned  our  adventurer,  who, 
though  hitherto  silent,  had  been  far  from  the  least  in 
terested  in  his  investigations.  "  Does  my  glass  de 
ceive  me — or" 

"Or  what,  sir?" 

"  I  see  her  to  the  heads  of  her  courses." 

"  You  see  her  as  I  do.  It  is  a  tall  ship  on  an  easy 
bow-line,  with  every  thing  set  that  will  draw.  And 
she  is  standing  hitherward.  Her  lower  sails  have 
lifted  within  five  minutes." 

"  I  thought  as  much.     But" 

"  But  what,  sir  ?  There  can  be  little  doubt  but 
she  is  heading  north-and-east.  Since  she  is  so  kind 


4  If)  THE    RED    ROVER. 

as  to  spare  us  the  pains  of  a  chase,  we  will  not  hurry 
our  movements.  Let  her  come  on.  How  like  you 
the  manner  of  the  stranger's  advance,  General  ?" 

"  Unmilitary,  but  enticing !  There  is  a  look  of  the 
mines  about  her  very  royals." 

"  And  you,  gentlemen,  do  you  also  see  the  fashion 
of  a  galleon  in  her  upper  sails  ?" 

44  'Tis  not  unreasonable  to  believe  it,"  answered 
one  of  the  inferiors.  u  The  Dons  are  said  to  run 
this  passage  often,  in  order  to  escape  speaking  us 
gentlemen,  who  sail  with  roving  commissions." 

"  Ah !  your  Don  is  a  prince  of  the  earth  !  There 
is  charity  in  lightening  his  golden  burden,  or  the  man 
would  sink  under  it,  as  did  the  Roman  matron  under 
the  pressure  of  the  Sabine  shields.  I  think  you  see 
no  such  gilded  beauty  in  the  stranger,  Mr  Wilder." 

u  It  is  a  heavy  ship  !" 

"  The  more  likely  to  bear  a  noble  freight.  You 
are  new,  sir,  to  this  merry  trade  of  ours,  or  you 
would  know  that  size  is  a  quality  we  always  esteem 
in  our  visitors.  If  they  carry  pennants,  we  leave 
them  to  meditate  on  the  many  4  slips  which  exist  be 
tween  the  cup  and  the  lip  ;'  and,  if  stored  with  metal 
no  more  dangerous  than  that  of  Potosi,  they  gener 
ally  sail  the  faster  after  passing  a  few  hours  in  our 
company." 

44  Is  not  the  stranger  making  signals  ?"  demanded 
Wilder,  thoughtfully. 

44  Is  he  so  quick  to  see  us  !  A  good  look-out  must 
be  had,  when  a  vessel,  that  is  merely  steadied  by  her 
stay-sails,  can  be  seen  so  far.  Vigilance  is  a  never- 
failing  sign  of  value !" 

A  pause  succeeded,  during  which  all  the  glasses, 
in  imitation  of  that  of  Wilder,  were  again  raised  in 
the  direction  of  the  stranger.  Different  opinions 
were  given;  some  affirming,  and  some  doubting,  the 
fact  of  the  signals.  The  Rover  himself  was  silent, 
though  his  observation  was  keen,  and  long  continued 


THE    RED    ROVER.  411 

"  We  have  wearied  our  eyes  till  sight  is  getting 
dim,"  he  said.  "  1  have  found  the  use  of  trying  fresh 
organs  when  my  own  have  refused  to  serve  me. 
Come  hither,  lad,"  he  continued,  addressing  a  man 
who  was  executing  some  delicate  job  in  seamanship 
on  the  poop,  at  no  great  distance  from  the  spot  where 
the  groupe  of  officers  had  placed  themselves  ;  "  come 
hither:  Tell  me  what  you  make  of  the  sail  in  the 
south-western  board." 

The  man  proved  to  be  Scipio,who  had  been  cho 
sen,  for  his  expertne'ss,  to  perform  the  task  in  ques 
tion.  Placing  his  cap  on  the  deck,  in  a  reverence 
even  deeper  than  that  which  the  seaman  usually 
manifests  toward  his  superior,  he  lifted  the  glass  in 
one  hand,  while  with  the  other  he  covered  the  eye 
that  had  at  the  moment  no  occasion  for  the  use  of 
its  vision.  But  no  sooner  did  the  wandering  instru 
ment  fall  on  the  distant  object,  than  he  dropped  it 
again,  and  fastened  his  look,  in  a  sort  of  stupid 
admiration,  on  Wilder. 

"  Did  you  see  the  sail  ?"  demanded  the  Rover. 

"  Masser  can  see  him  wid  he  naked  eye." 

"  Ay,  but  what  make  you  of  him  by  the  aid  of  the 
glass?" 

"  He'm  ship,  sir." 

"  True.     On  what  course  ?" 

"  He  got  he  starboard  tacks  aboard,  sir." 

"  Still  true.     But  has  he  signals  abroad?" 

"  He'm  got  free  new  cloths  in  he  maintop-gallant 
royal,  sir." 

"  His  vessel  is  all  the  better  for  the  repairs.  Did 
you  see  his  flags  ?" 

"  He'm  show  no  flag,  masser." 

"  I  thought  as  much  myself.  Go  forward,  lad — 
stay — one  often  gets  a  true  idea  by  seeking  it  where 
it  is  not  thought  to  exist.  Of  what  size  do  you  take 
the  stranger  to  be  ?" 

"  He'm  just  seven  hundred  and  fifty  tons,  masser." 


412  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  How's  this !  The  tongue  of  your  negro,  Mr 
Wilder,  is  as  exact  as  a  carpenter's  rule.  The  fellow 
speaks  of  the  size  of  a  vessel,  that  is  hull  down,  with 
an  air  as  authoritative  as  a  runner  of  the  King's  cus 
toms  could  pronounce  on  the  same,  after  she  had 
been  submitted  to  the  office  admeasurement." 

"  You  will  have  consideration  for  the  ignorance 
of  the  black ;  men  of  his  unfortunate  state  are  sel 
dom  skilful  in  answering  interrogatories." 

"  Ignorance !"  repeated  the  Rover,  glancing  his 
eye  uneasily,  and  with  a  rapidity  peculiar  to  himself, 
from  one  to  the  other,  and  from  both  to  the  rising 
object  in  the  horizon  :  "  Skilful !  I  know  not :  The 
man  has  no  air  of  doubt. — You  think  her  tonnage 
to  be  precisely  that  which  you  have  said  ?" 

The  large  dark  eyes  of  Scipio  rolled,  in  turn,  from 
his  new  Commander  to  his  ancient  master,  while,  foi 
a  moment,  his  faculties  appeared  to  be  lost  in  inextri- 
cable  confusion.  But  the  uncertainty  continued  only 
for  a  moment.  He  no  sooner  read  the  frown  that 
was  gathering  deeply  over  the  brow  of  the  latter, 
than  the  air  of  confidence  with  which  he  had  pro 
nounced  his  former  opinion  vanished  in  a  look  of 
obstinacy  so  settled,  that  one  might  well  have  de 
spaired  of  ever  driving,  or  enticing,  him  again  tc 
seem  to  think. 

"  I  ask  you,  if  the  stranger  may  not  be  a  dozen 
tons  larger  or  smaller  than  what  you  have  named  ?' 
continued  the  Rover,  when  he  found  his  former  ques 
tion  was  not  likely  to  be  soon  answered. 

"  He'm  just  as  masser  wish  'em,"  returned  Scipio. 

"  I  wish  him  a  thousand  ;  since  he  will  then  prove 
the  richer  prize." 

"  I  s'pose  he'm  quite  a  t'ousand,  sir." 

"  Or  a  snug  ship  of  three  hundred,  if  lined  with 
gold,  might  do." 

"  He  look  berry  like  a  free  hundred." 

*;  To  me  it  seems  a  brig." 


THE    RED   ROVER.  413 

"  I  t'ink  him  brig  too,  masser." 

"  Or  possibly,  after  all,  the  stranger  may  prove  a 
schooner,  with  many  lofty  and  light  sails." 

"A  schooner  often  carry  a  royal,"  returned  the 
black,  resolute  to  acquiesce  in  all  the  other  said. 

"  Who  knows  it  is  a  sail  at  all !  Forward  there !  It 
may  be  well  to  have  more  opinions  than  one  on  so 
weighty  a  matter.  Forward  there !  send  the  foretop- 
man  that  is  called  Fid  upon  the  poop.  Your  compan 
ions  are  so  intelligent  and  so  faithful,  Mr.  Wilder,  that 
you  are  not  to  be  surprised  if  I  shew  an  undue  desire 
for  their  information." 

Wilder  compressed  his  lips,  and  the  rest  of  the 
groupe  manifested  a  good  deal  of  amazement ;  but  the 
latter  had  been  too  long  accustomed  to  the  caprice  of 
their  Commander,  and  the  former  was  too  wise,  to 
speak  at  a  moment  when  his  humour  seemed  at  the 
highest.  The  topman,  however,  was  not  long  in  ma 
king  his  appearance,  and  then  the  chief  saw  fit  again 
to  break  the  silence. 

"  And  you  think  it  questionable  whether  it  be  a  sail 
at  all  ?"  he  continued. 

"He'm  sartain  nothing  but  a  fly-away,"  returned 
the  obstinate  black. 

"  You  hear  what  your  friend  the  negro  says,  master 
Fid ;  he  thinks  that  yonder  object,  which  is  lifting  so 
fast  to  leeward,  is  not  a  sail." 

As  the  topman  saw  no  sufficient  reason  for  conceal 
ing  his  astonishment  at  this  wild  opinion,  it  was  man 
ifested  with  all  the  embellishments  with  which  the 
individual  in  question  usually  set  forth  any  of  his 
more  visible  emotions.  After  casting  a  short  glance 
in  the  direction  of  the  sail,  in  order  to  assure  him 
self  there  had  been  no  deception,  he  turned  his  eyes 
in  great  disgust  on  Scipio,  as  if  he  would  vindi 
cate  the  credit  of  the  association  at  the  expense  of 
some  little  contempt  for  the  ignorance  of  his  com 
panion. 

2M2 


414  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  What  the  devil  do  you  take  it  for,  Guinea  ?  a 
church  ?" 

"  I  t'ink  he'm  church,"  responded  the  acquiescent 
black. 

"  Lord  help  the  dark-skinned  fool !  Your  Honour 

knows  that  conscience  is  d nab-y  overlooked  in 

Africa,  and  will  not  judge  the  nigger  hardly  for  any 
little  blunder  he  may  make  in  the  account  of  his  re» 
ligion.  But  the  fellow  is  a  thorough  seaman,  and 
should  know  a  top-gallant-sail  from  a  weathercock. 
Now,  look  you,  S'ip,  for  the  credit  of  your  friends, 
if  you've  no  great  pride  on  your  own  behalf,  just  tell 
his" 

"  It  is  of  no  account,"  interrupted  the  Rover. 
"  Take  you  this  glass,  and  pass  an  opinion  on  the 
sail  in  sight  yourself." 

Fid  scraped  his  foot,  and  made  a  low  how,  in  ac 
knowledgment  of  the  compliment ;  and  then,  depos 
iting  his  little  tarpaulin  hat  on  the  deck  of  the  poop, 
he  very  composedly,  and,  as  he  flattered  himself, 
very  understandingly,  disposed  of  his  person  to  take 
the  desired  view.  The  gaze  of  the  topman  was  far 
longer  than  had  been  that  of  his  black  companion ; 
and  it  is  to  be  presumed,  in  consequence,  much  more 
accurate.  Instead,  however,  of  venturing  any  sud 
den  opinion,  when  his  eye  was  wearied,  he  lowered 
the  glass,  and  with  it  his  head,  standing  long  in  the 
attitude  of  one  whose  thoughts  had  received  some 
subject  of  deep  cogitation.  During  the  process  of 
thinking,  the  weed  was  diligently  rolled  over  hii 
tongue,  and  one  hand  was  stuck  a-kimbo  into  his 
side,  as  if  he  would  brace  all  his  faculties  to  support 
some  extraordinary  mental  effort. 

"  I  wait  your  opinion,"  resumed  his  attentive 
Commander,  when  he  thought  sufficient  time  had 
been  allowed  to  mature  the  opinion  even  of  Richard 
Fid. 

44  Will  your  Honour  just  tell  me  what  day  of  the 


THE    RED    ROVER.  415 

month  this  here  may  be,  and  mayhap,  at  the  same 
time,  the  day  of  the  week  too,  if  it  shouldn't  be 
giving  too  much  trouble?" 

His  two  questions  were  directly  answered. 

"  We  had  the  wind  at  east-with-southing,  the  first 
day  out,  and  then  it  chopped  in  the  night,  and  blew 
great  guns  at  north-west,  where  it  held  for  the  mat 
ter  of  a  week.  After  which  there  was  an  Irishman's 
hurricane,  right  up  and  down,  for  a  day ;  then  we 
got  into  these  here  trades,  which  have  stood  as  steady 
as  a  ship's  chaplain  over  a  punch  bowl, ever  since." — 

Here  the  toprnan  closed  his  soliloquy,  in  order  to 
agitate  the  tobacco  again,  it  being  impossible  to  con 
duct  the  process  of  chewing  and  talking  at  one  and 
the  same  time. 

"  What  of  the  stranger  ?"  demanded  the  Rover,  a 
little  impatiently. 

"  Ifs  no  church,  that's  certain,  your  Honour," 
said  Fid,  very  decidedly. 

"Has  he  signals  flying?" 

"  He  may  be  speaking  with  his  flags,  but  it  needs 
a  better  scholar  than  Richard  Fid  to  know  what  he 
would  say.  To  my  eye,  there  are  three  new  cloths 
in  his  main-top-gallant-royal,  but  no  bunting  abroad." 

"  The  man  is  happy  in  having  so  good  a  sail.  Mr 
Wilder,  do  you  too  see  the  darker  cloths  in  ques 
tion  ?" 

**  There  is  certainly  something  which  might  be 
taken  for  canvas  newer  than  the  rest.  I  believe  I 
first  mistook  the  same,  as  the  sun  fell  brightest  on  the 
sail,  for  the  signals  I  named." 

"  Then  we  are  not  seen,  and  may  lie  quiet  for  a 
while,  though  we  enjoy  the  advantage  of  measuring 
the  stranger,  foot  by  foot — even  to  the  new  cloths  in 
his  royal  1" 

The  Rover  spoke  in  a  tone  that  was  strangely  di 
vided  between  sarcasm  and  thought.  He  then  made 
an  impatient  gesture  to  the  seamen  to  quit  the  poop. 


416 


THE   RED    ROVER. 


When  they  were  alone,  he  turned  to  his  silent  and 
respectful  officers,  continuing,  in  a  manner  that  was 
grave,  while  it  was  conciliatory, — 

"  Gentlemen,"  he  said,  "  our  idle  time  is  past,  and 
fortune  has  at  length  brought  activity  into  OUT  tiack. 
Whether  the  ship  in  sight  be  of  just  seven  hundred 
and  fifty  tons,  is  more  than  I  can  pretend  to  pro 
nounce,  but  something  there  is  which  any  seaman 
may  know.  But  the  squareness  of  her  upper-yards, 
the  symmetry  with  which  they  are  trimmed,  and  the 
press  of  canvass  she  bears  on  the  wind,  I  pronounce 
her  to  be  a  vessel  of  war.  Do  any  differ  from  my 
opinion  ?  Mr.  Wilder,  speak." 

"  I  feel  the  truth  of  all  your  reasons,  and  think  with 
you." 

A  shade  of  gloomy  distrust,  which  had  gathered 
over  the  brow  of  the  Rover  during  the  foregoing 
scene,  lighted  a  little  as  he  listened  to  the  direct  and 
frank  avowal  of  his  lieutenant. 

"  You  believe  she  bears  a  pennant  ?  I  like  this  man 
liness  of  reply.  Then  conies  another  question.  Shall 
we  fight  her?" 

To  this  interrogatory  it  was  not  so  easy  to  give  a  de 
cisive  answer.  Each  officer  consulted  the  opinions  of 
his  comrades,  in  their  eyes,  until  their  leader  saw  fit  to 
make  his  application  still  more  personal. 

"Now,  General,  this  is  a  question  peculiarly  fitted 
for  your  wisdom,"  he  resumed :  "  Shall  we  give  bat 
tle  to  a  pennant?  or  shall  we  spread  our  wings,  and 
fly?" 

"My  bullies  are  not  drilled  to  the  retreat.  •  Give 
them  any  other  work  to  do,  and  I  will  answer  for 
their  steadiness." 

"  But  shall  we  venture,  without  a  reason  ?" 

"The  Spaniard  often  sends  his  bullion  home  un 
der  cover  of  a  cruiser's  guns,"  observed  one  of  the 
inferiors,  who  rarely  found  pleasure  in  any  risk 
that  did  not  infer  its  correspondent  benefit.  "We 


THE    RED    ROVER.  417 

may  feel  the  stranger ;  if  he  carries  more  than  his 
guns,  he  will  betray  it  by  his  reluctaruee  to  speak ; 
but  if  poor,  we  shall  find  him  fierce  as  a  half-fed 
tiger." 

"  There  is  sense  in  your  counsel,  Brace,  and  it 
shall  be  regarded.  Go  then,  gentlemen,  to  your  sev 
eral  duties.  We'll  pass  the  half  hour  that  may  be 
needed,  before  his  hull  shall  rise,  in  looking  to  our 
gear,  and  overhauling  the  guns.  As  it  is  not  decided 
to  fight,  let  what  is  done  be  done  without  display. 
My  people  must  see  no  receding  from  a  resolution 
taken." 

The  groupe  then  separated,  each  man  preparing 
to  undertake  the  task  that  more  especially  belonged 
to  the  situation  that  he  filled  in  the  ship.  Wilder 
was  about  to  retire  with  the  rest,  but  a  significant 
sign  drew  him  to  the  side  of  his  chief,  who  continued 
on  the  poop  alone  with  his  new  confederate. 

"  The  monotony  of  our  lives  is  now  likely  to  be 
interrupted,  Mr  Wilder,"  commenced  the  former, 
first  glancing  his  eye  around,  to  make  sure  they  were 
alone.  "I  have  seen  enough  of  your  spiiit  and 
steadiness,  to  be  sure,  that,  should  accident  disable  me 
to  conduct  the  fortunes  of  these  people,  my  authority 
will  fall  into  firm  and  able  hands." 

44  Should  such  a  calamity  befall  us,  I  hope  it  may 
be  found  that  your  expectations  shall  not  be  deceived." 

" I  have  confidence,  sir;  and,  where  a  bra^e  man 
reposes  his  confidence,  he  has  a  right  to  hope  it  will 
not  be  abused.  I  speak  in  reason." 

44  I  acknowledge  the  justice  of  your  words." 

44 1  would,  Wilder,  that  we  had  known  each  other 
earlier.  But  what  matters  vain  regrets !  These 
fellows  of  yours  are  keen  of  sight  to  note  those  cloths 
so  soon !" 

14  'Tis  just  the  observation  of  people  of  their  class. 
The  nicer  distinctions  which  marked  the  cruiser 
came  first  from  yourself!" 


418  THE    RED   ROVER. 

"  And  then  the  l  seven  hundred  and  fifty  tons  ol 
the  black ! — It  was  giving  an  opinion  with  great  de 
cision." 

"  It  is  the  quality  of  ignorance  to  be  positive." 

"  You  say  truly.  Cast  an  eye  at  the  stranger,  and 
tell  me  how  he  comes  on." 

Wilder  obeyed,  seemingly  glad  to  be  relieved  from 
a  discourse  that  he  might  have  found  embarrassing. 
Many  moments  were  passed  before  he  dropped  the 
glass,  during  which  time  not  a  syllable  fell  from  the 
lips  of  his  companion.  When  he  turned,  however, 
to  deliver  the  result  of  his  observations,  he  met  an 
eye,  that  seemed  to  pierce  his  soul,  fastened  on  his 
countenance.  Colouring  highly,  as  if  he  resented 
the  suspicion  betrayed  by  the  act,  Wilder  closed  his 
half-open  lips,  and  continued  silent. 

"  And  the  ship  ?"  deeply  demanded  the  Rover. 

"  The  ship  has  already  raised  her  courses ;  in  a 
few  more  minutes  we  shall  see  the  hull." 

"  It  is  a  swift  vessel !  She  is  standing  directly  for 
us." 

"  I  think  not.     Her  head  is  lying  more  at  east." 

"  It  may  be  well  to  make  certain  of  that  fact.  You 
are  right,"  he  continued,  after  taking  a  look  himself 
at  the  approaching  cloud  of  canvas  ;  "  you  are  very 
right.  As  yet  we  are  not  seen.  Forward  there*! 
haul  down  that  head  stay-sail ;  we  will  steady  the 
ship  by  her  yards.  Now  let  him  look  with  all  his 
eyes ;  they  must  be  good  to  see  these  naked  spars  at 
such  a  distance." 

Our  adventurer  made  no  reply,  assenting  to  the 
truth  of  what  the  other  had  said  by  a  simple  inclina 
tion  of  his  head.  They  then  resumed  the  walk  to 
and  fro  in  their  narrow  limits,  neither  manifesting, 
however,  any  anxiety  to  renew  the  discourse. 

"  We  are  in  good  condition  for  the  alternative  of 
flight  or  combat,"  the  Rover  at  length  observed,  while 
he  cast  a  rapid  look  over  the  preparations  which  had 


THE    R.ED    ROVER.  419 

been  unostentatiously  in  progress  from  the  moment 
when  the  officers  dispersed.  "  Now  will  1  confess, 
Wilder,  a  secret  pleasure  in  the  belief  that  yonder 
audacious  fool  carries  the  boasted  commission  of  the 
German  who  wears  the  Crown  of  Britain.  Should 
he  prove  more  than  man  may  dare  attempt,  I  will 
flout  him ;  though  prudence  shall  check  any  further 
attempts ;  and,  should  he  prove  an  equal,  would  it 
not  gladden  your  eyes  to  see  St.  George  come  droop 
ing  to  the  water  ?" 

"  I  thought  that  men  in  our  pursuit  left  honour  to 
silly  heads,  and  that  we  seldom  struck  a  blow  that 
was  not  intended  to  ring  on  a  metal  more  precious 
than  iron." 

"  'Tis  the  character  the  world  gives ;  but  I,  for 
one,  would  rather  lower  the  pride  of  the  minions  of 
King  George  than  possess  the  power  of  unlocking 
his  treasury !  Said  I  well,  General  ?"  he  added,  as 
the  individual  he  named  approached ;  "  said  I  well, 
in  asserting  there  was  glorious  pleasure  in  making  a 
pennant  trail  upon  the  sea?" 

"  We  fight  for  victory,"  returned  the  martinet.  "  I 
am  ready  to  engage  at  a  minute's  notice." 

"  Prompt  and  decided,  as  a  soldier. — Now  tell  me, 
General,  if  Fortune,  or  Chance,  or  Providence,  which 
ever  of  the  powers  you  may  acknowledge  for  a  lead 
er,  were  to  give  you  the  option  of  enjoyments,  in 
what  would  you  find  your  deepest  satisfaction  ?" 

The  soldier  seemed  to  ruminate,  ere  he  answer 
ed,- 

"  I  have  often  thought,  that,  were  I  commander  of 
things  on  earth,  I  should,  backed  by  a  dozen  of  my 
stoutest  bullies,  charge  at  the  door  of  that  cave  which 
was  entered  by  the  tailor's  boy,  him  they  call  Alad 
din." 

"  The  genuine  aspirations  of  a  freebooter  !  In  such 
a  case,  the  magic  trees  would  soon  be  disburdened 
of  their  fruit.  Still  it  might  prove  an  inglorious  vie- 


420 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


*ory,  since  incantations  and  charms  are  the  weapons 
of  the  combatants.  Call  you  honour  nothing  ?" 

"  Hum !  I  fought  for  honour  half  of  a  reasonably 
long  life,  and  found  myself  as  light  at  the  close  of  all 
my  dangers  as  at  the  beginning.  Honour  and  I  have 
shaken  hands,  unless  it  be  the  honour  of  coming  of! 
conqueror.  I  have  a  strong  disgust  of  defeat,  but  am 
always  ready  to  sell  the  mere  honour  of  the  victoiy 
cheap." 

"  Well,  let  it  pass.  The  quality  of  the  service  is 
much  the  same,  find  the  motive  where  you  will. — 
How  now !  who  has  dared  to  let  yonder  top-gallant- 
sail  fly  ?" 

The  startling  change  in  the  voice  of  the  Rover 
caused  all  within  hearing  of  his  words  to  tremble. 
Deep,  anxious,  and  threatening  displeasure  was  in 
all  its  tones,  and  each  man  cast  his  eyes  upwards,  to 
see  on  whose  devoted  head  the  weight  of  the  dread 
ed  indignation  of  their  chief  was  about  to  fall.  As 
there  was  little  but  naked  spars  and  tightened  ropes 
to  obstruct  the  view,  all  became,  at  the  same  instant, 
apprized  of  the  truth.  Fid  was  standing  on  the  head 
of  that  topmast  which  belonged  to  the  particular  por 
tion  of  the  vessel  where  he  was  stationed,  and  the 
sail  in  question  was  fluttering,  with  all  its  gear  loos 
ened,  far  and  high  in  the  wind.  His  hearing  had 
probably  been  drowned  by  the  heavy  flapping  of  the 
canvas  ;  for^  instead  of  lending  his  ears  to  the  deep 
powerful  call  just  mentioned,  he  rather  stood  con 
templating  his  work,  than  exhibiting  any  anxiety  as 
to  the  effect  it  might  produce  on  the  minds  of  those 
beneath  him.  But  a  second  warning  came  in  tones 
too  terrible  to  be  any  longer  disregarded  by  ears  even 
as  dull  as  those  of  the  offender. 

"  By  whose  order  have  you  dared  to  loosen  the 
sail?"  demanded  the  Rover. 

"  By  the  order  of  King  Wind,  your  Honour.  Th« 


THE    RED    ROVER.  421 

best  seaman  must  give  in,  when  a  squall  gets  the  up 
per  hand." 

"  Furl  it !  away  aloft,  and  furl  it !"  shouted  the 
excited  leader.  "  Roll  it  up ;  and  send  the  fellow 
down  who  has  been  so  bold  as  to  own  any  authority 
but  my  own  in  this  ship,  though  it  were  that  of  a 
hurricane." 

A  dozen  nimble  topmen  ascended  to  the  assistance 
of  Fid.  In  another  minute,  the  unruly  canvas  was 
secured,  and  Richard  himself  was  on  his  way  to  the 
poop.  During  this  brief  interval,  the  brow  of  the 
Rover  was  dark  and  angry  as  the  surface  of  the  ele 
ment  on  which  he  lived,  when  blackened  by  the 
tempest.  Wilder,  who  had  never  before  seen  his  new 
Commander  thus  excited,  began  to  tremble  for  the 
fate  of  his  ancient  comrade,  and  drew  nigher,  as  the 
latter  approached,  to  intercede  in  his  favour,  should 
the  circumstances  seem  to  require  such  an  interposi 
tion. 

"  And  why  is  this  ?"  the  still  stern  and  angry  leader 
demanded  of  the  offender.  "  Why  is  it  that  you, 
whom  I  have  had  such  recent  reason  to  applaud, 
should  dare  to  let  fly  a  sail,  at  a  moment  when  it  is 
important  to  keep  the  ship  naked  ?" 

"  Your  Honour  will  admit  that  his  rations  some 
times  slips  through  the  best  man's  fingers,  and  why 
not  a  bit  of  canvas  ?"  deliberately  returned  the  de 
linquent.     "  If  I  took  a  turn  too  many  of  the  gaske 
off  the  yard,  it  is  a  fault  I  am  ready  to  answer  for." 

"  You  say  true,  and  dearly  shall  you  pay  the  for 
feit.  Take  him  to  the  gangway,  and  let  him  make 
acquaintance  with  the  cat." 

"  No  new  acquaintance,  your  Honour,  seeing  that 
we  have  met  before,  and  that,  too,  for  matters  which 
I  had  reason  to  hide  my  head  for ;  whereas,  here,  it 
may  be  many  blows,  and  little  shame." 

"  May  I  intercede  in  behalf  of  the  offender  ?"  in 
terrupted  Wilder,  with  earnestness  and  haste.     "  He 
2N 


422  THE    RED    ROVER. 

is  often  blundering,  but  rarely  would  he  err,  had  he 
as  much  knowledge  as  good-will." 

"  Say  nothing  about  it,  master  Harry,"  returned 
the  topman,  with  a  peculiar  glance  of  his  eye.  "  The 
sail  has  been  flying  finely,  and  it  is  now  too  late  to 
deny  it ;  and  so,  I  suppose,  the  fact  must  be  scored 
on  the  back  of  Richard  Fid,  as  you  would  put  any 
other  misfortune  into  the  log." 

"  I  would  he  might  be  pardoned.  I  can  venture 
to  promise,  in  his  name,  'twill  be  the  last  offence" — 

"  Let  it  be  forgotten,"  returned  the  Rover,  strug 
gling  powerfully  to  conquer  his  passion.  "  I  will  not 
disturb  our  harmony  at  such  a  moment,  Mr  Wilder, 
by  refusing  so  small  a  boon :  but  you  need  not  be 
told  to  what  evil  such  negligence  might  lead.  Give 
me  the  glass  again ;  I  will  see  if  the  fluttering  canvas 
has  escaped  the  eye  of  the  stranger." 

The  topman  bestowed  a  stolen  but  exulting  glance 
on  Wilder,  and  then  the  latter  motioned  the  other 
hastily  away,  turning  himself  to  join  his  Commander 
in  the  examination. 


CHAPTER  XXYI. 

"As  I  am  an  honest  man,  he  looks  pale  :  Art  thou  sick,  or  angry?" 

Much  ado  about  Nothing. 

THE  approach  of  the  strange  sail  was  becoming 
rapidly  more  and  more  visible  to  the  naked  eye.  The 
little  speck  of  white,  which  had  first  been  seen  on 
the  margin  of  the  sea,  resembling  some  gull  floating 
on  the  summit  of  a  wave,  had  gradually  arisen  dur 
ing  the  last  half  hour,  until  a  tall  pyramid  of  canvas 
was  reared  on  the  water.  As  Wilder  bent  his  look 
again  on  this  growing  object,  the  Rover  put  a  glasg 
into  his  hands,  with  an  expression  of  feature  which 
the  other  understood  to  say,  "You  may  perceive  that 


THE    RED    ROVER.  423 

the  carelessness  of  your  dependant  has  already  be 
trayed  us  !"  Still  the  look  was  one  rather  of  regret 
than  of  reproach ;  nor  did  a  single  syllable  of  the 
tongue  confirm  the  meaning  language  of  the  eye.  On 
the  contrary,  it  would  seem  that  his  Commander  was 
anxious  to  preserve  their  recent  amicable  compact 
inviolate;  for,  when  the  young  mariner  attempted  an 
awkward  explanation  of  the  probable  causes  of  the 
blunder  of  Fid,  he  was  met  by  a  quiet  gesture,  which 
said,  in  a  sufficiently  intelligible  language,  that  the 
offence  was  already  pardoned. 

"  Our  neighbour  keeps  a  good  look-out,  as  you  may 
see,"  observed  the  other.  "He  has  tacked,  and  is 
laying  boldly  up  across  our  fore-foot.  Well,  let  him 
come  on ;  we  shall  soon  get  a  look  at  his  battery,  and 
then  may  we  come  to  our  conclusion  as  to  the  nature 
of  the  intercourse  we  are  to  hold.'*1 

"  If  you  permit  the  stranger  to  near  us,  it  might  be 
difficult  to  throw  him  off  the  chase,  should  we  be 
glad  to  get  rid  of  him." 

"  It  must  be  a  fast-going  vessel  to  which  the  l  Dol 
phin1  cannot  spare  a  top-gallant-sail." 

"  I  know  not,  sir.  The  sail  in  sight  is  swift  on  the 
wind,  and  it  is  to  be  believed  that  she  is  no  duller  off. 
I  have  rarely  known  a  vessel  rise  so  rapidly  as  she 
has  done  since  first  we  made  her." 

The  youth  spoke  with  such  earnestness,  as  to  draw 
the  attention  of  his  companion  from  the  object  he 
was  studying  to  the  countenance  of  the  speaker. 

"  Mr  Wilder,"  he  said  quickly,  and  with  an  air  ot 
decision,  "  you  know  the  ship  ?" 

"  I'll  not  deny  it.  If  my  opinion  be  true,  she  will 
be  found  too  heavy  for  the  '  Dolphin,1  and  a  vessel 
fhat  offers  little  inducement  for  us  to  attempt  to  carry." 

"Her  size?" 

"  You  heard  it  from  the  black." 

:t  Your  followers  know  her  also  ?" 

"  It  would  be  difficult  to  deceive  a  topman  in  the 


424  THE    RED    ROVER. 

cut  and  trim  of  sails  among  which  he  has  passed 
months,  nay  years." 

"  I  understand  the  l  new  cloths1  in  her  top-gallant- 
royal !  Mr  Wilder,  your  departure  from  that  vessel 
has  been  recent  ?" 

"As  my  arrival  in  this." 

The  Rover  continued  silent  for  several  minutes 
communing  with  his  own  thoughts.  His  companion 
made  no  offer  to  disturb  his  meditations  ;  though  the 
furtive  glances,  he  often  cast  in  the  direction  of  the 
other's  musing  eye,  betrayed  some  little  anxiety  to 
learn  the  result  of  his  self-communication. 

"  And  her  guns  ?"  at  length  his  Commander  ab 
ruptly  demanded. 

"  She  numbers  four  more  than  the  'Dolphin.'  " 
"  The  metal  ?" 

"  Is  still  heavier.  In  every  particular  is  she  a  ship 
a  size  above  your  own." 

"  Doubtless  she  is  the  property  of  the  King  ?" 
«  She  is." 

"  Then  shall  she  change  her  masters.  By  heaven, 
she  shall  be  mine  !" 

Wilder  shook  his  head,  answering  only  with  an  in 
credulous  smile. 

"  You  doubt  it,"  resumed  the  Rover.  "  Come 
hither,  and  look  upon  that  deck.  Can  he  whom  you 
so  lately  quitted  muster  fellows  like  these,  to  do  his 
biddings  ?" 

The  crew  of  the  'Dolphin'  had  been  chosen,  by 
one  who  thoroughly  understood  the  character  of  a 
seaman,  from  among  all  the  different  people  of  the 
Christian  world.  There  was  not  a  maritime  nation 
in  Europe  which  had  not  its  representative  among 
that  band  of  turbulent  and  desperate  spirits.  Even 
the  descendant  of  the  aboriginal  possessors  of  America 
had  been  made  to  abandon  the  habits  and  opinions  oi 
his  progenitors,  to  become  a  wanderer  on  that  ele 
ment  which  had  laved  the  shores  of  his  native  land 


THE    RED    ROVER.  425 

for  ages,  without  exciting  a  wish  to  penetrate  its  mys 
teries  in  the  bosoms  of  his  simple-minded  ancestry. 
All  had  been  suited,  by  lives  of  wild  adventure,  on 
the  two  elements,  for  their  present  lawless  pursuits 
and,  directed  by  the  mind  which  had  known  how  to 
obtain  and  to  continue  its  despotic  ascendancy  over 
their  efforts,  they  truly  formed  a  most  dangerous  and 
(considering  their  numbers)  resistless  crew.  Their 
Commander  smiled  in  exultation,  as  he  watched  the 
evident  reflection  with  which  his  companion  contem 
plated  the  indifference,  or  fierce  joy,  which  different 
individuals  among  them  exhibited  at  the  appearance 
of  an  approaching  conflict.  Even  the  rawest  of  theii 
numbers,  the  luckless  waisters  and  after-guard,  were 
apparently  as  confident  of  victory  as  those  whose  au 
dacity  might  plead  the  apology  of  uniform  and  often 
repeated  success. 

"Count  you  these  for  nothing?"  asked  the  Rover, 
at  the  elbow  of  his  lieutenant,  after  allowing  him  time 
to  embrace  the  whole  of  the  grim  band  with  his  eye. 
"  See !  here  is  a  Dane,  ponderous  and  steady  as  the 
gun  at  which  I  shall  shortly  place  him.  You  may 
cut  him  limb  from  limb,  and  yet  will  he  stand  like  a 
tower,  until  the  last  stone  of  the  foundation  has  been 
sapped.  And,  here,  we  have  his  neighbours,  the  Swede 
and  the  Russ,  fit  companions  for  managing  the  same 
piece  ;  which,  I'll  answer,  shall  not  be  silent,  while  a 
man  of  them  all  is  left  to  apply  a  match,  or  handle 
a  spunge.  Yonder  is  a  square-built  athletic  mariner, 
from  one  of  the  Free  Towns.  He  prefers  our  liberty 
to  that  of  his  native  city ;  and  you  shall  find  that  the 
venerable  Hanseatic  institutions  shall  give  way  sooner 
than  he  be  known  to  quit  the  spot  I  give  him  to  de 
fend.  Here,  you  see  a  brace  of  Englishmen ;  and, 
though  they  come  from  the  island  that  I  love  so  little, 
better  men  at  need  will  not  be  often  found.  Feed 
them,  and  flog  them,  and  I  pledge  myself  to  their 
swaggering,  and  their  courage.  D'ye  see  that  thought 
2N2 


426 


THE  RED  ROVER. 


ful-looking,  bony  miscreant,  that  has  a  look  of  godli 
ness  in  the  midst  of  all  his  villany  ?  That  fellow  fish'd 
for  herring  till  he  got  a  taste  of  beef,  when  his  stom 
ach  revolted  at  its  ancient  fare ;  and  then  the  ambi 
tion  of  becoming  rich  got  uppermost.  He  is  a  Scot, 
from  one  of  the  lochs  of  the  North." 

"Will  he  tight?" 

"  For  money — the  honour  of  the  Macs — and  his 
religion.  He  is  a  reasoning  fellow,  after  all :  and  I 
like  to  have  him  on  my  own  side  in  a  quarrel.  Ah ! 
yonder  is  the  boy  for  a  charge.  1  once  told  him  to 
cut  a  rope  in  a  hurry,  and  he  severed  it  above  his 
head,  instead  of  beneath  his  feet,  taking  a  flight  from 
a  lower  yard  into  the  sea,  as  a  reward  for  the  exploit. 
But,  then,  he  always  extols  his  presence  of  mind  in 
not  drowning !  Now  are  his  ideas  in  a  hot  ferment ; 
and,  if  the  truth  could  be  known,  I  would  wager  a 
handsome  venture,  that  the  sail  in  sight  is,  by  some 
mysterious  process,  magnified  to  six  in  hii  fertile 
fancy." 

"  He  must  be  thinking,  then,  of  escape." 

"  Far  from  it ;  he  is  rather  plotting  the  means  of 
surrounding  them  with  the  4  Dolphin.'  To  your  true 
Hibernian,  escape  is  the  last  idea  that  gives  him  an 
uneasy  moment.  You  see  the  pensive-looking,  sal 
low  mortal,  at  his  elbow.  That  is  a  man  who  will 
fight  with  a  sort  of  sentiment.  There  is  a  touch  of 
chivalry  in  him,  which  might  be  worked  into  hero 
ism,  if  one  had  but  the  opportunity  and  the  inclina 
tion.  As  it  is,  he  will  not  fail  to  show  a  spark  of  the 
true  Castilian.  His  companion  has  come  from  the 
Rock  of  Lisbon ;  I  should  trust  him  unwillingly,  did  I 
not  know  that  little  opportunity  of  taking  pay  from 
the  enemy  is  given  here.  Ah !  here  is  a  lad  for  a 
dance  of  a  Sunday.  You  see  him,  at  this  moment, 
with  foot  and  tongue  going  together.  That  is  a  crea 
ture  of  contradictions.  He  wants  for  neither  wit  nor 
good-nature,  but  still  he  might  cut  vour  throat  on  an 


THE    RED    ROVER.  427 

occasion.  There  is  a  strange  medley  of  ferocity  and 
bonhommie  about  the  animal.  I  shall  put  him  among 
the  boarders ;  for  we  shall  not  be  at  blows  a  minute 
before  his  impatience  will  be  for  carrying  every  thing 
by  a  coup-de-main." 

"  And  who  is  the  seaman  at  his  elbow,  that  appa 
rently  is  occupied  in  divesting  his  person  of  some 
superfluous  garments  ?"  demanded  Wilder,  irresistibly 
attracted,  by  the  manner  of  the  Rover,  to  pursue  the 
subject. 

"  An  economical  Dutchman.  He  calculates  that 
it  is  just  as  wise  to  be  killed  in  an  old  jacket  as  in 
a  new  one ;  and  has  probably  said  as  much  to  his 
Gascon  neighbour,  who  is,  however,  resolved  to  die 
decently,  if  die  he  must.  The  former  has  happily  com 
menced  his  preparations  for  the  combat  in  good  sea 
son,  or  the  enemy  might  defeat  us  before  he  would  be 
m  readiness.  Did  it  rest  between  these  two  worthies 
to  decide  this  quarrel,  the  mercurial  Frenchman 
would  defeat  his  neighbour  of  Holland,  before  the  lat 
ter  believed  the  battle  had  commenced ;  but,  should 
he  let  the  happy  moment  pass,  rely  on  it,  the  Dutch 
man  would  give  him  trouble.  Forget  you,  Wilder, 
that  the  day  has  been  when  the  countrymen  of  that 
slow-moving  and  heavy-moulded  fellow  swept  the 
narrow  seas  with  a  broom  at  their  mast-heads  ?" 

The  Rover  smiled  wildly  as  he  spoke,  and  what 
he  said  he  uttered  with  bitter  emphasis.  To  his  com 
panion,  however,  there  appeared  no  such  grounds  of 
unnatural  exultation,  in  recalling  the  success  of  a  for 
eign  enemy,  and  he  was  content  to  assent  to  the  truth 
of  the  historical  fact  with  a  simple  inclination  of  his 
head.  As  if  he  even  found  pain  in  this  confession, 
and  would  gladly  be  rid  of  the  mortifying  reflection 
altogether,  he  rejoined,  in  some  apparent  haste, — 

"  You  have  overlooked  the  two  tall  seamen,  who 
are  making  out  the  rig  of  the  stranger  with  so  much 
gravity  of  observation." 


428  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"Ay,  those  are  men  that  came  from  a  land  in 
which  we  both  feel  some  interest.  The  sea  is  not 
more  unstable  than  are  those  rogues  in  their  knavery. 
Their  minds  are  but  half  made  up  to  piracy. — 'Tis 
a  coarse  word,  Mr  Wilder,  but  1  fear  we  earn  it. 
But  these  rascals  make  a  reservation  of  grace  in  the 
midst  of  all  their  villany." 

"  They  regard  the  stranger  as  if  they  saw  reason 
to  distrust  the  wisdom  of  letting  him  approach  so 
near." 

"  Ah !  they  are  renowned  calculators.  I  fear  they 
have  detected  the  four  supernumerary  guns  you  men 
tioned  ;  for  their  vision  seems  supernatural  in  affairs 
which  touch  their  interests.  But  you  see  there  is 
brawn  and  sinew  in  the  fellows  ;  and,  what  is  better, 
there  are  heads  which  teach  them  to  turn  those  ad 
vantages  to  account." 

"  You  think  they  fail  in  spirit  ?" 

"  Hum !  It  might  be  dangerous  to  try  it  on  any 
point  they  deemed  material.  They  are  no  quarrel- 
lers  about  words,  and  seldom  lose  sight  of  certain 
musty  maxims,  which  they  pretend  come  from  a 
volume  that  I  fear  you  and  I  do  not  study  too  intent 
ly.  It  is  not  often  that  they  strike  a  blow  for  mere 
chivalry ;  and,  were  they  so  inclined,  the  rogues  are 
too  much  disposed  to  logic,  to  mistake,  like  your 
black,  the  '  Dolphin'  for  a  church.  Still,  if  they  see 
reason,  in  their  puissant  judgments,  to  engage,  mark 
me,  the  two  guns  they  command  will  do  better  ser 
vice  than  all  the  rest  of  the  battery.  But,  should 
they  think  otherwise,  it  would  occasion  no  surprise 
were  I  to  receive  a  proposition  to  spare  the  powder 
for  some  more  profitable  adventure.  Honour,  for 
sooth!  the  miscreants  are  too  well  grounded  in 
polemics  to  mistake  the  point  of  honour  in  a  pursuit 
like  ours.  But  we  chatter  of  trifles,  when  it  is  time 
to  think  of  serious  things.  Mr  Wilder,  we  will  now 
show  our  canvas." 


THE   RED   ROVER,  429 

The  manner  of  the  Rover  changed  as  suddenly  as 
his  language.  Losing  the  air  of  sarcastic  levity  in 
which  he  had  been  indulging,  in  a  mien  better  suited 
to  maintain  the  authority  he  wielded,  he  walked 
aside,  while  his  subordinate  proceeded  to  issue  the 
orders  necessary  to  enforce  his  commands.  Night 
ingale  sounded  the  usual  summons,  lifting  his  hoarse 
voice  in  the  cry  of  "  All  hands  make  sail,  ahoy !" 

Until  now,  the  people  of  the  "  Dolphin"  had  made 
their  observations  on  the  sail,  that  was  growing  so 
rapidly  above  the  waters,  according  to  their  several 
humours.  Some  had  exulted  in  the  prospect  of  a 
capture ;  others,  more  practised  in  the  ways  of  their 
Commander,  had  deemed  the  probability  of  their 
coming  in  collision  at  all  with  the  stranger  a  point 
far  from  settled ;  while  a  few,  more  accustomed  to 
reflection,  shook  their  heads  as  the  stranger  drew 
nigher,  as  if  they  believed  he  was  already  within  a 
distance  that  might  be  attended  with  too  much  haz 
ard.  Still,  as  they  were  ignorant  alike  of  those  se 
cret  sources  of  information  which  the  chief  had  so 
frequently  proved  he  possessed,  to  an  extent  that 
often  seemed  miraculous,  the  whole  were  content 
patiently  to  await  his  decision.  But,  when  the  cry 
above  mentioned  was  heard,  it  was  answered  by  an 
activity  so  general  and  so  cheerful,  as  to  prove  it  was 
entirely  welcome.  Order  now  followed  order  in 
quick  succession,  from  the  mouth  of  Wilder,  who, 
in  virtue  of  his  station,  was  the  proper  executive 
officer  for  the  moment. 

As  both  lieutenant  and  crew  appeared  animated 
by  the  same  spirit,  it  was  not  long  before  the  naked 
spars  of  the  "  Dolphin"  were  clothed  in  vast  volumes 
of  spotless  snow-white  canvas.  Sail  had  fallen  after 
sail,  and  yard  after  yard  had  been  raised  to  the  sum 
mit  of  its  mast,  until  the  vessel  bowed  before  the 
breeze,  rolling  to  and  fro,  but  still  held  stationary  by 
the  position  of  her  yards.  When  all  was  in  readiness 


430  THE   RED   ROVER. 

to  proceed,  on  whichever  course  might  be  deemed 
necessary,  Wilder  ascended  again  to  the  poop,  in 
order  to  announce  the  fact  to  his  superior.  He  found 
the  Rover  attentively  considering  the  stranger,  whose 
hull  had  by  this  time  risen  out  of  the  sea,  and  exhib 
ited  a  long,  dotted,  yellow  line,  which  the  eye  of 
every  man  in  the  ship  well  knew  to  contain  the  ports 
whence  the  guns  that  marked  her  particular  force 
were  made  to  issue.  Mrs  Wyllys,  accompanied  by 
Gertrude,  stood  nigh,  thoughtful,  as  usual,  but  per 
mitting  no  occurrence  of  the  slightest  moment  to 
escape  her  vigilance. 

"  We  are  ready  to  gather  way  on  the  ship,"  said 
Wilder ;  "  we  wait  merely  for  the  course." 

The  Rover  started,  and  drew  closer  to  his  subor 
dinate,  before  he  gave  an  answer.  Then,  looking 
him  full  and  intently  in  the  eye,  he  demanded, — 

"  You  are  certain  that  you  know  yon  vessel,  Mr 
Wilder?" 

"  Certain,"  was  the  calm  reply. 

"  It  is  a  royal  cruiser,"  said  the  governess,  with  the 
swiftness  of  thought. 

"  It  is.     I  have  already  pronounced  her  to  be  so." 

u  Mr  Wilder,"  resumed  the  Rover,  "  we  will  try 
her  speed.  Let  the  courses  fall,  and  fill  your  for 
ward  sails." 

The  young  mariner  made  an  acknowledgment  of 
obedience,  and  proceeded  to  execute  the  wishes  of  his 
Commander.  There  was  an  eagerness,  and  perhaps 
a  trepidation,  in  the  voice  of  Wilder,  as  he  issued  the 
necessary  orders,  that  was  in  remarkable  contrast  to 
the  deep-toned  calmness  which  characterized  the  ut 
terance  of  the  Rover.  The  unusual  intonations  did 
not  entirely  escape  the  ears  of  some  of  the  elder 
seamen;  and  looks  of  peculiar  meaning  were  ex 
changed  among  them,  as  they  paused  to  catch  his 
words.  But  obedience  followed  these  unwonted 
sounds,  as  it  had  been  accustomed  to  succeed  the 


THE    RED    ROVER.  431 

more  imposing  utterance  of  their  own  long-dreaded 
diief.  The  head-yards  were  swung,  the  sails  were 
distended  with  the  breeze,  and  the  mass,  which  had 
so  long  been  inert,  began  to  divide  the  waters,  as  it 
heavily  overcame  the  state  of  rest  in  which  it  had 
reposed.  The  ship  soon  attained  its  velocity ;  and 
then  the  contest  between  the  two  rival  vessels  be 
came  one  of  deep  and  engrossing  interest. 

By  this  time  the  stranger  was  within  a  half  league, 
directly  under  the  lee  of  the  "  Dolphin."  Closer 
and  more  accurate  observation  had  satisfied  every 
understanding  eye  in  the  latter  ship  of  the  force  and 
character  of  their  neighbour.  The  rays  of  a  bright 
sun  fell  clear  upon  her  broadside,  while  the  shadow 
of  her  sails  was  thrown  far  across  the  waters,  in  a 
direction  opposite  to  their  own.  There  were  mo 
ments  when  the  eye,  aided  by  the  glass,  could  pene 
trate  through  the  open  ports  into  the  interior  of  the 
hull,  catching  fleeting  and  delusory  glimpses  of  the 
movements  within.  A  few  human  forms  were  dis 
tinctly  visible  in  different  parts  of  her  rigging ;  but, 
in  all  other  respects,  the  repose  of  high  order  and 
perfect  discipline  was  discernible  on  all  about  her. 

When  the  Rover  heard  the  sounds  of  the  parted 
waters,  and  saw  the  little  jets  of  spray  that  the  bows 
of  his  own  gallant  ship  cast  before  her,  he  signed  to 
his  lieutenant  to  ascend  to  the  place  which  he  still 
occupied  on  the  poop.  For  many  minutes,  his  eye 
was  on  the  strange  sail,  in  close  and  intelligent  con 
templation  of  her  powers. 

"  Mr  Wilder,"  he  at  length  said,  speaking  like  one 
whose  doubts  on  some  perplexing  point  were  finally 
removed,  "  I  have  seen  that  cruiser  before." 

"  It  is  probable  ;  she  has  roamed  over  most  of  the 
waters  of  the  Atlantic." 

"  Ay,  this  is  not  the  first  of  our  meetings  !  a  little 
paint  has  changed  her  exterior,  but  I  think  I  know 
the  manner  in  which  they  have  stepped  her  masts.' 


432  THE   RED   ROVER. 

"  They  are  thought  to  rake  more  than  is  usual." 

44  They  are  thought  to  do  it,  with  reason.  Did  you 
serve  long  aboard  her  ?" 

"  Years." 

"  And  you  left  her" 

44  To  join  you." 

44  Tell  me,  Wilder,  did  they  treat  you,  too,  as  one 
of  an  inferior  order?  Ha!  was  your  merit  called 
4  provincial  ?'  Did  they  read  America  in  all  you  did  ?" 

44 1  left  her,  Captain  Heidegger." 

44  Ay,  they  gave  you  reason.  For  once  they  have 
done  me  an  act  of  kindness.  But  you  were  in  her 
during  the  equinox  of  March  ?" 

Wilder  made  a  slight  bow  of  assent. 

44 1  thought  as  much.  And  you  fought  a  stranger 
in  the  gale  ?  Winds,  ocean,  and  man  were  all  at 
work  together." 

44  It  is  true.  We  knew  you,  and  thought  for  a  time 
that  your  hour  had  come." 

44 1  like  your  frankness.  We  have  sought  each 
other's  lives  like  men,  and  we  shall  prove  the  truer 
friends,  now  that  amity  is  established  between  us. 
I  will  not  ask  you  further  of  that  adventure,  Wilder; 
for  favour,  in  my  service,  is  not  to  be  bought  by 
treachery  to  that  you  have  quitted.  It  is  sufficient 
that  you  now  sail  under  my  flag." 

44  What  is  that  flag  ?"  demanded  a  mild  but  firm 
voice,  at  his  elbow. 

The  Rover  turned  suddenly,  and  again  met  the 
riveted,  calm,  and  searching  eye  of  the  governess. 
The  gleamings  of  some  strangely  contradictory  pas 
sions  crossed  his  features,  and  then  his  whole  coun 
tenance  changed  to  that  look  of  bland  courtesy 
which  he  most  affected  when  addressing  his  captives. 

41  Here  speaks  a  female,  to  remind  two  mariners  of 
their  duty !"  he  exclaimed.  44  We  have  forgotten  the 
civility  of  showing  the  stranger  our  bunting.  Let  it 


THE    RED    ROVER.  433 

be  set,  Mr  Wilder,  that  we  may  omit  none  of  the 
observances  of  nautical  etiquette." 

"  The  ship  in  sight  carries  a  naked  gaft." 

"  No  matter ;  we  shall  be  foremost  in  courtesy. 
Let  the  colours  be  shown." 

Wilder  opened  the  little  locker  which  contained 
the  flags  most  in  use,  but  hesitated  which  to  select, 
out  of  a  dozen  that  lay  in  large  rolls  within  the  dif 
ferent  compartments. 

"  I  hardly  know  which  of  these  ensigns  it  is  your 
pleasure  to  show,"  he  said,  in  a  manner  that  appear 
ed  sufficiently  like  putting  a  question. 

"  Try  him  with  the  heavy-moulded  Dutchman. 
The  Commander  of  so  noble  a  ship  should  under 
stand  all  Christian  tongues." 

The  lieutenant  made  a  sign  to  the  quarter-master 
on  duty ;  and,  in  another  minute,  the  flag  of  the 
United  Provinces  was  waving  at  the  peak  of  the 
"  Dolphin."  The  two  officers  narrowly  watched  its 
effect  on  the  stranger,  who  refused,  howe\er,  to  make 
any  answering  sign  to  the  false  signal  they  had  just 
exhibited. 

"  The  stranger  sees  we  have  a  hull  that  was  never 
made  for  the  shoals  of  Holland.  Perhaps  he  knows 
us  ?"  said  the  Rover,  glancing  at  the  same  time  a 
look  of  inquiry  at  his  companion. 

"  I  think  not.  Paint  is  too  freely  used  in  the  '  Dol 
phin,1  for  even  her  friends  to  be  certain  of  her  coun 
tenance." 

"  She  is  a  coquettish  ship,  we  will  allow,"  return 
ed  the  Rover,  smiling.  "  Try  him  with  the  Portu 
guese  :  Let  us  see  if  Brazil  diamonds  have  favour  in 
his  eyes." 

The  colours  already  set  were  lowered,  and,  in 
their  place,  the  emblem  of  the  house  of  Braganza 
was  loosened  to  the  breeze.  Still  the  stranger  pur 
sued  his  course  in  sullen  inattention,  eating  closer 
*nd  closer  to  the  wind,  as  it  is  termed  in  nautical 
2O 


434  THE   RED   ROVER. 

language,  in  order  to  lessen  the  distance  between 
him  and  his  chase  as  much  as  possible. 

"  An  ally  cannot  move  him,"  said  the  Rover 
"  Now  let  him  see  the  taunting  drapeau  blanc." 

Wilder  complied  in  silence.  The  flag  of  Portugal 
was  hauled  to  the  deck,  and  the  white  field  of  France 
was  given  to  the  air.  The  ensign  had  hardly  flutter 
ed  in  its  elevated  position,  before  a  broad  glossy  bla 
zonry,  rose,  like  some  enormous  bird  taking  wing 
from  the  deck  of  the  stranger,  and  opened  its  folds  in 
graceful  waves  at  his  gaft.  The  same  instant,  at 
column  of  smoke  issued  from  his  bows,  and  had  sail 
ed  backward  through  his  rigging,  ere  the  report  of 
the  gun  of  defiance  found  its  way,  against  the  fresh 
breeze  of  the  trades,  to  the  ears  of  the  "  Dolphin's' 
crew. 

"  So  much  for  national  amity !"  dryly  observed  the 
Rover.  "  He  is  mute  to  the  Dutchman,  and  to  the 
crown  of  Braganza;  but  the  very  bile  is  stirred 
within  him  at  the  sight  of  a  table-cloth !  Let  him 
contemplate  the  colours  he  loves  so  little,  Mr  Wilder  f 
when  we  are  tired  of  showing  them,  our  lockers  may 
furnish  another." 

It  would  seem,  however,  that  the  sight  of  the  flag, 
which  the  Rover  now  chose  to  bear,  produced  some 
such  effect  on  his  neighbour  as  the  moleta  of  the 
nimble  banderillo  is  known  to  exite  in  the  enraged 
bull.  Sundry  smaller  sails,  which  could  do  but  little 
good,  but  which  answered  the  purpose  of  appearing 
to  wish  to  quicken  his  speed,  were  instantly  set  aboard 
the  stranger ;  and  not  a  brace,  or  a  bow-line,  was  suf 
fered  to  escape  without  an  additional  pull.  In  short, 
he  wore  the  air  of  the  courser  who  receives  the  use 
less  blows  of  the  jockey,  when  already  at  the  top  of 
his  speed,  and  when  any  further  excitement  is  as  fruit 
less  as  his  own  additional  exertions.  Still  there 
seemed  but  little  need  of  such  supererogatory  efforts. 
By  *his  time,  the  two  vessels  were  fairly  trying  their 


THE    RED    ROVER.  435 

powers  of  sailing,  and  with  no  visible  advantage  in 
favour  of  either.  Although  the  "Dolphin"  was  re 
nowned  for  her  speed,  the  stranger  manifested  no  in 
feriority  that  the  keenest  scrutiny  might  detect.  The 
ship  of  the  freebooter  was  already  bending  to  the 
breeze,  and  the  jets  of  spray  before  her  were  cast 
still  higher  and  further  in  advance  ;  but  each  impulse 
of  the  wind  was  equally  felt  by  the  stranger,  and 
her  movement  over  the  heaving  waters  seemed  to  be 
as  rapid  and  as  graceful  as  that  of  her  rival. 

"  Yon  ship  parts  the  water  as  a  swallow  cuts  the 
air,"  observed  the  chief  of  the  freebooters  to  the 
youth,  who  still  kept  at  his  elbow,  endeavouring  to 
conceal  an  uneasiness  which  was  increasing  at  each 
instant.  "  Has  she  a  name  for  speed  ?" 

"  The  curlew  is  scarcely  faster.  Are  we  not  al 
ready  nigh  enough,  for  men  who  cruise  with  commis 
sions  no  better  than  our  own  pleasure  ?" 

The  Rover  glanced  a  look  of  impatient  suspicion 
at  the  countenance  of  his  companion  ;  but  its  expres 
sion  changed  to  a  smile  of  haughty  audacity,  as  he 
answered, — 

"  Let  him  equal  the  eagle  in  his  highest  and  swiftest 
flight,  he  shall  find  us  no  laggards  on  the  wing  !  Why 
this  reluctance  to  be  within  a  mile  of  a  vessel  of  the 
Crown  ?" 

u  Because  I  know  her  force,  and  the  hopeless 
character  of  a  contest  with  an  enemy  so  superior," 
returned  Wilder,  firmly.  "  Captain  Heidegger,  you 
cannot  fight  yon  ship  with  success ;  and,  unless  in 
stant  use  be  made  of  the  distance  which  still  exists 
between  us,  you  cannot  escape  her.  Indeed,  1  know 
not  but  it  is  already  too  late  to  attempt  the  latter." 

"  Such,  sir,  is  the  opinion  of  one  who  overrates 
the  powers  of  his  enemy,  because  use,  and  much 
talking,  have  taught  him  to  reverence  it  as  something 
more  than  human.  Mr  Wilder,  none  are  so  daring 
or  so  modest,  as  those  who  have  long  been  accus 


436  THE    RED    ROVER. 

tomed  to  place  Tieir  dependance  on  their  own  exer* 
tions.  I  have  ?  een  nigher  to  a  flag  even,  and  yet 
you  see  I  con^  r  le  to  keep  on  this  mortal  coil." 

"  Hark  !  '''"*  a  drum.  The  stranger  is  going  to 
his  guns." 

The  Rovei  listened  a  moment,  and  was  able  to 
catch  the  well-known  beat  which  calls  the  people  oi 
a  vessel  of  war  to  quarters.  First  casting  a  glance 
upward  at  his  sails,  and  then  throwing  a  general  and 
critical  look  on  all  and  every  thing  which  came  with 
in  the  influence  of  his  command,  he  calmlv  answer- 
ed,- 

"  We  will  imitate  his  example,  Mr  Wilder.  Let 
the  order  be  given." 

Until  now,  the  crew  of  the  "  Dolphin"  had  either 
been  occupied  in  such  necessary  duties  as  had  been 
assigned  them,  or  were  engaged  in  gazing  with  curi 
ous  eyes  at  the  ship  which  so  eagerly  sought  to  draw 
as  near  as  possible  to  their  own  dangerous  vessel. 
The  low  but  continued  hum  of  voices,  sounds  such 
alone  as  discipline  permitted,  had  afforded  the  only 
evidence  of  the  interest  they  took  in  the  scene  ;  but, 
the  instant  the  first  tap  on  the  drum  was  heard,  each 
groupe  severed,  and  every  man  repaired,  with  bust 
ling  activity,  to  his  well-known  station.  The  stir 
among  the  crew  was  but  of  a  moment's  continuance, 
and  it  was  succeeded  by  the  breathing  stillness  which 
has  already  been  noticed  in  our  pages  on  a  similar 
occasion.  The  officers,  however,  were  seen  making 
hasty,  but  strict,  inquiries  into  the  conditions  of  their 
several  commands;  while  the  munitions  of  war,  that 
were  quickly  drawn  from  their  places  of  deposit, 
announced  a  preparation  more  serious  than  ordinary. 
The  Rover  himself  had  disappeared;  but  it  was  not 
long  before  he  was  again  seen  at  his  elevated  look-out 
accoutred  for  the  conflict  that  appeared  to  approach, 
and  employed,  as  ever,  in  studying  the  properties, 
the  force,  and  the  evolutions  of  his  advancing  antug- 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


437 


on  st.  Those  who  knew  him  best,  however,  said 
that  the  question  of  combat  was  not  yet  decided  in 
his  mind;  and  hundreds  of  eager  glances  were  thrown 
in  the  direction  of  his  contracting  eye,  as  if  to  pene 
trate  the  mystery  in  which  he  still  chose  to  conceal 
his  purpose.  He  had  thrown  aside  the  sea-cap,  and 
stood  with  the  fair  hair  blowing  about  a  brow  that 
seemed  formed  to  give  birth  to  thoughts  far  noblei 
than  those  which  apparently  had  occupied  his  life ; 
while  a  species  of  leathern  helmet  lay  at  his  feet,  the 
garniture  of  which  was  of  a  nature  to  lend  an  un 
natural  fierceness  to  the  countenance  of  its  wearer 
Whenever  this  boarding-cap  was  worn,  all  in  the 
ship  were  given  to  understand  that  the  moment  of 
serious  strife  was  at  hand ;  but,  as  yet,  that  never- 
failing  evidence  of  the  hostile  intention  of  their  lead 
er  was  unnoticed. 

In  the  mean  time,  each  officer  had  examined  into, 
and  reported,  the  state  of  his  division;  and  then,  by 
a  sort  of  implied  permission  on  the  part  of  their 
superiors,  the  death-like  calm,  which  had  hitherto 
reigned  among  the  people,  was  allowed  to  be  broken 
by  suppressed  but  earnest  discourse  ;  the  calculating 
chief  permitting  this  departure  from  the  usual  rules 
of  more  regular  cruisers,  in  order  to  come  at  the 
temper  of  the  crew,  on  which  so  much  of  the  suc 
cess  of  his  desperate  enterprises  so  frequently  de 
pended. 

2O2 


438  THE   RED    ROVER. 


CHAPTER  XXVH. 

— "  For  he  made  me  mad, 

To  see  him  shine  so  brisk,  and  smell  so  sweet, 

And  talk  so  like  a  waiting  gentlewoman." 

King  Henry  IT. 

THE  moment  was  now  one  of  high  and  earnest 
excitement.  Each  individual,  who  was  charged  with 
a  portion  of  the  subordinate  authority  of  the  ship, 
had  examined  into  the  state  of  his  command,  with 
that  engrossing  care  which  always  deepens  as  re 
sponsibility  draws  nigher  to  the  proofs  of  its  being 
worthily  bestowed.  The  voice  of  the  harsh  master 
had  ceased  to  inquire  into  the  state  of  those  several 
ropes  and  chains  that  were  deemed  vital  to  the  safe 
ty  of  the  vessel;  each  chief  of  a  battery  had  assured 
and  re-assured  himself  that  his  artillery  was  ready 
for  instant,  and  the  most  effective,  service;  extra 
ammunition  had  already  issued  from  its  dark  and 
secret  repository ;  and  even  the  hum  of  dialogue  had 
ceased,  in  the  more  engrossing  and  all-absorbing  in 
terest  of  the  iscene.  Still  the  quick  and  ever-chang 
ing  glance  of  the  Rover  could  detect  no  reason  to 
distrust  the  firmness  of  his  people.  They  were 
grave,  as  are  ever  the  bravest  and  steadiest  in  the  hour 
of  trial ;  but  their  gravity  was  mingled  with  no  signs 
of  concern.  It  seemed  rather  like  the  effect  of  des 
perate  and  concentrated  resolution,  such  as  braces 
the  human  mind  to  efforts  which  exceed  the  ordinary 
daring  of  rrartial  enterprise.  To  this  cheering  ex 
hibition  of  the  humoar  of  his  crew  the  wary  and 
sagacious  leader  saw  but  three  exceptions ;  they 
were  found  in  the  persons  of  his  lieutenant  and  his 
two  remarkable  associates. 

It  has  been  seen  that  the  bearing  of  Wilder  was 
not  altogether  such  as  became  one  of  his  rank  in  a 


THE    RED    ROVER.  439 

moment  of  great  trial.  The  keen,  jealous  glances  of 
the  Rover  had  studied  and  re-studied  his  manner, 
without  arriving  at  any  satisfactory  conclusion  as  to 
its  real  cause.  The  colour  was  as  fresh  on  the  cheeks 
of  the  youth,  and  his  limbs  were  as  firm  as  in  the 
hours  of  entire  security;  but  the  unsettled  wander 
ing  of  his  eye,  and  an  air  of  doubt  and  indecision 
which  pervaded  a  miea  tiiat  ought  to  display  quali 
ties  so  opposite,  gave  his  Commander  cause  for  deep 
reflection.  As  if  to  find  an  explanation  of  the  enigma 
in  the  deportment  of  the  associates  of  Wilder,  his 
look  sought  the  persons  of  Fid  and  the  negro.  They 
were  both  stationed  at  the  piece  nearest  to  the  place 
he  himself  occupied,  the  former  filling  the  station  of 
captain  of  the  gun. 

The  ribs  of  the  ship  itself  were  not  firmer  in  their 
places  than  was  the  attitude  of  the  topman,  as  he 
occasionally  squinted  along  the  massive  iron  tube 
over  which  he  was  placed  in  command ;  nor  was 
that  familiar  and  paternal  care,  which  distinguishes 
the  seaman's  interest  in  his  particular  trust,  wanting 
in  feis  manner.  Still,  an  air  of  broad  and  inexplica 
ble  surprise  had  possession  of  his  rugged  lineaments ; 
and  ever,  as  his  look  wandered  from  the  countenance 
of  Wilder  to  their  adversary,  it  was  not  difficult  to 
discover  that  he  marvelled  to  find  tfee  two  in  opposi 
tion.  He  neither  commented  on.,  nor  complained, 
however,  of  an  occurrence  he  evidently  found  so 
extraordinary,  but  appeared  perfectly  disposed  to 
pursue  the  spirit  of  that  well-known  maxim  of  the 
mariner  which  teaches  the  obedient  tar  "  to  obey 
orders,  though  he  break  owners,"  Every  portion 
of  the  athletic  form  of  the  negro  was  motionless, 
except  his  eyes.  These  large,  jet-black  orbs,  how 
ever,  rolled  incessantly,  like  the  more  dogmatic  or 
gans  of  the  topman,  from  Wilder  to  the  strange  sail, 
seeming  to  drink  in  fresh  draughts  of  astonishment 
at  each  new  look. 


440  THE    RED    ROVER. 

Struck  by  these  evident  manifestations  of  some 
extraordinary  and  yet  common  sentiment  between 
the  two,  the  Rover  profited  by  his  own  position,  and 
the  distance  of  the  lieutenant,  to  address  them. 
Leaning  over  the  slight  rail  that  separated  the  break 
of  the  poop  from  the  quarter-deck,  he  said,  in  that 
familiar  manner  which  the  Commander  is  most  wont 
to  use  to  his  inferiors  when  their  services  are  becom 
ing  of  the  greatest  importance, — 

"  i  hope,  master  Fid,  they  have  put  you  at  *  gun 
that  knows  how  to  speak." 

"  There  is  not  a  smoother  bore,  nor  a  wider 
mouth,  in  the  ship,  your  Honour,  than  these  of 
1  Blazing  Billy,' "  returned  the  topman,  giving  the 
subject  of  his  commendations  an  affectionate  slap. 
"  All  I  ask  is  a  clean  spunge  and  a  tight  wad.  Guinea, 
score  a  foul  anchor,  in  your  own  fashion,  on  a  half 
dozen  of  the  shot ;  and,  after  the  matter  is  all  over, 
they  who  live  through  it  may  go  aboard  the  enemy, 
and  see  in  what  manner  Richard  Fid  has  planted  his 
seed." 

"  You  are  not  new  in  action,  master  Fid .  ?" 

"  Lord  bless  your  Honour !  gunpowder  is  no  more 
than  dry  tobacco  in  my  nostrils  !  tho'f  I  will  say"— 

"  You  were  going  to  add" 

"  That  sometimes  I  find  myself  shifted  over,  in 
these  here  affairs,"  returned  the  topman,  glancing  his 
eye  first  at  the  flag  of  France,  and  then  at  the  dis 
tant  emblem  of  England,  "  like  a  jib-boom  rigged, 
abaft,  for  a  jury  to  the  spanker.  I  suppose  master 
Harry  has  it  all  in  his  pocket,  in  black  and  white  ; 
but  this  much  I  will  say,  that,  if  I  must  throw  stones, 
I  should  rather  see  them  break  a  neighbour's  crock 
ery,  than  that  of  my  own  mother. — I  say,  Guinea, 
score  a  couple  more  of  the  shot ;  since,  if  the  play 
is  to  be  acted,  I've  a  mind  the  l  Blazing  Billy'  should 
do  something  creditable  for  the  honour  of  her  good 


THE    RED    ROVER.  441 

The  Rover  drew  back,  thoughtful  and  silent.  He 
then  caught  a  look  from  Wilder,  whom  he  again 
beckoned  to  approach. 

"  Mr  Wilder,"  he  said,  in  a  tone  of  kindness,  "  1 
comprehend  your  feelings.  All  have  not  offended 
alike  in  yonder  vessel,  and  you  would  rather  your 
service  against  that  haughty  flag  should  commence 
with  some  other  ship.  There  is  little  else  but  empty 
honour  to  be  gained  in  the  conflict — in  tenderness  to 
your  feelings,  I  will  avoid  it." 

"  It  is  too  late,"  said  Wilder,  with  a  melancholy 
shake  of  the  head. 

"  You  shall  see  your  error.  The  experiment  may 
cost  us  a  broadside,  but  it  shall  succeed.  Go,  de 
scend  with  our  guests  to  a  place  of  safety  ;  and,  by 
the  time  you  return,  the  scene  shall  have  undergone 
a  change." 

Wilder  eagerly  disappeared  in  the  cabin,  whither 
Mrs  Wyllys  had  already  withdrawn  ;  and,  after  com 
municating  the  intentions  of  his  Commander  to  avoid 
an  action,  he  conducted  them  into  the  depths  of  the 
vessel,  in  order  that  no  casualty  might  arrive  to  im- 
bitter  his  recollections  of  the  hour.  This  grateful 
duty  promptly  and  solicitously  performed,  our  ad 
venturer  again  sought  the  deck,  with  the  velocity  of 
thought. 

Notwithstanding  his  absence  had  seemed  but  of  a 
moment,  the  scene  had  indeed  changed  in  all  its  hos 
tile  images.  In  place  of  the  flag  of  France,  he 
found  the  ensign  of  England  floating  at  the  peak  of 
the  "  Dolphin,"  and  a  quick  and  intelligible  exchange 
of  lesser  signals  in  active  operation  between  the  two 
vessels.  Of  all  that  cloud  of  canvas  which  had  so 
lately  borne  down  the  vessel  of  the  Rover,  her  top 
sails  alone  remained  distended  to  the  yards  ;  the  re 
mainder  was  hanging  in  festoons,  and  fluttering  loose 
ly  before  a  favourable  breeze.  The  ship  itself  was 
running  directly  for  the  stranger,  who,  in  turn,  was 


442  THE    RED    ROVER. 

sullenly  securing  his  lofty  sails,  like  one  who  was  dis 
appointed  in  a  high-prized  and  expected  object. 

"  N«  w  is  yon  fellow  sorry  to  believe  him  a  friend 
whom  he  had  lately  supposed  an  enemy,"  said  the 
Rover,  directing  the  attention  of  his  lieutenant  to  the 
confiding  manner  with  which  their  neighbour  suffered 
himself  to  be  deceived  by  his  surreptitiously  obtained 
signals.  "  It  is  a  tempting  offer ;  but  I  pass  it,  Wilder 
for  your  sake." 

The  gaze  of  the  lieutenant  seemed  bewildered, 
but  he  made  no  reply.  Indeed,  but  little  time  was 
given  for  deliberation  or  discourse.  The  "  Dolphin" 
rolled  swiftly  along  her  path,  and  each  moment  dis 
sipated  the  mist  in  which  distance  had  enveloped  the 
lesser  objects  on  board  the  stranger.  Guns,  blocks, 
ropes,  bolts,  men,  and  even  features,  became  plainly 
visible,  in  rapid  succession,  as  the  water  that  divided 
them  was  parted  by  the  bows  of  the  lawless  ship.  In 
a  few  short  minutes,  the  stranger,  having  secured 
most  of  his  lighter  canvas,  came  sweeping  up  to  the 
wind;  and  then,  as  his  after-sails,  squared  for  the 
purpose,  took  the  breeze  on  their  outer  surface,  the 
mass  of  his  hull  became  stationary. 

The  people  of  the  "  Dolphin"  had  so  far  imitated 
the  confiding  credulity  of  the  deceived  cruiser  of  the 
Crown,  as  to  furl  all  their  loftiest  duck,  each  man 
employed  in  the  service  trusting  implicitly  to  the  dis 
cretion  and  daring  of  the  singular  being  whose  pleas 
ure  it  was  to  bring  their  ship  into  so  hazardous  a 
proximity  to  a  powerful  enemy — qualities  that  had 
been  known  to  avail  them  in  circumstances  of  even 
greater  delicacy  than  those  in  which  they  were  now 
placed.  With  this  air  of  audacious  confidence,  the 
dreaded  Rover  came  gliding  down  upon  her  unsus 
pecting  neighbour,  until  within  a  few  hundred  feet 
of  her  weather-beam,  when  she  too,  with  a  graceful 
curve  in  her  course,  bore  up  against  the  breeze,  and 
came  to  a  state  of  rest.  But  Wilder,  who  regarded 


THE   fl«D    ROVER.  443 

ail  the  movements  of  his  superior  in  silent  amaze 
ment,  was  not  slow  in  observing  that  the  head  of  the 
u  Dolphin"  was  laid  a  different  way  from  that  of  the 
other,  and  that  her  progress  had  been  arrested  by  the 
counteracting  position  of  her  head-yards  ;  a  circum 
stance  that  afforded  the  advantage  of  a  quicker  com 
mand  of  the  ship,  should  need  require  a  sudden  re 
course  to  the  guns. 

The  "  Dolphin"  was  still  drifting  slowly  under  the 
last  influence  of  her  recent  motion,  when  the  cus 
tomary  hoarse  and  nearly  unintelligible  summons 
came  over  the  water,  demanding  her  appellation  and 
character.  The  Rover  applied  his  trumpet  to  his 
lips,  with  a  meaning  glance  that  was  directed  towards 
his  lieutenant,  and  returned  the  name  of  a  ship,  in 
the  service  of  the  King,  that  was  known  to  be  of  the 
size  and  force  of  his  own  vessel. 

"  Ay,  ay,"  returned  a  voice  from  out  of  the  other 
ship,  "  'twas  so  I  made  out  your  signals," 

The  hail  was  then  reciprocated,  and  the  name  of 
the  royal  cruiser  given  in  return,  followed  by  an  in 
vitation  from  her  Commander,  to  his  brother  in  au 
thority,  to  visit  his  superior. 

Thus  far,  no  more  had  occurred  than  was  usual 
between  seamen  in  the  same  service  ;  but  the  affair 
was  rapidly  arriving  at  a  point  that  most  men  would 
have  found  too  embarrassing  for  further  deception. 
Still  the  observant  eye  of  Wilder  detected  no  hesita 
tion  or  doubt  in  the  manner  of  his  chief.  The  beat 
of  the  drum  was  heard  from  the  cruiser,  announcing 
the  "  retreat  from  quarters ;"  and,  with  perfect  com 
posure,  he  directed  the  same  signal  to  be  given  for 
his  own  people  to  retire  from  their  guns.  In  short, 
five  minutes  established  every  appearance  of  entire 
confidence  and  amity  between  two  vessels  which 
would  have  soon  been  at  deadly  strife,  had  the  true 
character  of  one  been  known  to  the  other.  In  this 
state  of  the  doubtful  game  he  played,  and  with  the 


444  THE    RED    ROVER. 

invitation   still   ringing  in   the  ears  of  Wilder,  the 
Rover  motioned  his  lieutenant  to  his  side. 

"  You  hear  that  I  am  desired  to  visit  my  senior  in 
the  service  of  his  Majesty,"  he  said,  with  a  smile  o. 
irony  playing  about  his  scornful  lip.  "  Is  it  youi 
pleasure  to  be  of  the  party  ?" 

The  start  with  which  Wilder  received  this  hardy 
proposal  was  far  too  natural  to  proceed  from  any 
counterfeited  emotion. 

"  You  are  not  so  mad  as  to  run  the  risk !"  he  ex 
claimed,  when  words  were  at  command. 

"  If  you  fear  for  yourself,  I  can  go  alone." 

"  Fear !"  echoed  the  youth,  a  bright  flush  giving 
an  additional  glow  to  the  flashing  of  his  kindling  eye. 
"  It  is  not  fear,  Captain  Heidegger,  but  prudence, 
that  tells  me  to  keep  concealed.  My  presence  would 
betray  the  character  of  this  ship.  You  forget  that  I 
am  known  to  all  in  yonder  cruiser," 

"  I  had  indeed  forgotten  that  portion  of  the  plot 
Then  remain,  while  I  go  to  play  upon  the  credulity 
of  his  Majesty's  Captain." 

Without  waiting  for  an  answer,  the  Rover  led  the 
way  helow,  signing  for  his  companion  to  follow.  A 
few  moments  sufficed  to  arrange  the  fair  golden  locks 
that  imparted  such  a  look  of  youth  and  vivacity  to 
the  countenance  of  the  former.  The  undress,  fan 
ciful  frock  he  wore  in  common  was  exchanged  for 
the  attire  of  one  of  his  assumed  rank  and  service, 
which  had  been  made  to  fit  his  person  with  the  nicest 
care,  and  with  perhaps  a  coxcomical  attention  to  the 
proportions  of  his  really  fine  person  ;  and  in  all  other 
things  was  he  speedily  equipped  for  the  disguise  he 
chose  to  affect.  No  sooner  were  these  alterations  in 
his  appearance  completed,  (and  they  were  effected 
with  a  brevity  and  readiness  that  manifested  much 
practice  in  similar  artifices,)  than  he  disposed  himseli 
to  proceed  on  the  intended  experiment. 
.  "  Truer  and  quicker  eyes  have  been  deceived,' 


THE    RED    ROVER.  445 

he  coolly  observed,  turning  his  glance  from  a  mirror 
to  the  countenance  of  his  lieutenant,  as  he  spoke, 
"  than  those  which  embellish  the  countenance  of 
Captain  Bignall." 

"  You  know  him,  then  ?" 

"  Mr  Wilder,  my  business  imposes  the  necessity  of 
knowing  much  that  other  men  overlook.  Now  13 
this  adventure,  which,  by  your  features,  I  perceive 
you  deem  so  forlorn  in  its  hopes  of  success,  one  of 
easy  achievement.  I  am  convinced  that  not  an  offi 
cer  or  man  on  board  the  '  Dart'  has  ever  seen  the 
ship  whose  name  I  have  chosen  to  usurp.  She  i&  too 
fresh  from  the  stocks  to  incur  that  risk.  Then  is 
there  little  probability  that  I,  in  my  other  self,  shall 
be  compelled  to  acknowledge  acquaintance  with  any 
of  her  officers ;  for  you  well  know  that  years  have 
passed  since  your  late  ship  has  been  in  Europe ;  and, 
by  running  your  eye  over  these  books,  you  will  per 
ceive  I  am  that  favoured  mortal,  the  son  of  a  Lord, 
and  have  not  only  grown  into  command,  but  into 
manhood,  since  her  departure  from  home." 

"  These  are  certainly  favouring  circumstances,  and 
such  as  I  had  not  the  sagacity  to  detect. — But  why 
incur  the  risk  at  all  ?" 

"  Why !  Perhaps  there  is  a  deep-laid  scheme  to 
learn  if  the  prize  would  repay  the  loss  of  her  cap 
ture  ;  perhaps it  is  my  humour.  There  is  fearful 

excitement  in  the  adventure." 

u  And  there  is  fearful  danger." 

"  I  never  count  the  price  of  these  enjoyments.— 
Wilder,"  he  added,  turning  to  him  with  a  look  of 
frank  and  courteous  confidence,  "I  place  life  and 
honour  in  your  keeping ;  for  to  me  it  would  be  dis 
honour  to  desert  the  interests  of  my  crew." 

"  The  trust  shall  be  respected,"  repeated  our  ad- 
venturer,  in  a  tone  so  deep  and  choaked  as  to  be 
nearly  unintelligible. 

Regarding  the  still  ingenuous  countenance  of  his 
2P 


446  THE    RED    ROVER. 

companion  intently  for  an  instant,  the  Rover  smiled, 
as  if  he  approved  of  the  pledge,  waved  his  hand  in 
adieu,  and,  turning,  was  about  to  leave  the  cabin- 
but  a  third  form,  at  that  moment,  caught  his  wander 
ing  glance.  Laying  a  hand  lightly  on  the  shoulder 
of  the  boy,  whose  form  was  placed  somewhat  obtru 
sively  in  his  way,  he  demanded,  a  little  sternly, — 

"  Roderick,  what  means  this  preparation?" 

"  To  follow  my  master  to  the  boat." 

"  Boy,  thy  service  is  not  needed  ' 

•*  It  is  rarely  wanted  of  late." 

"  Why  should  I  add  unnecessarily  to  the  risk  of 
lives,  where  no  good  can  attend  the  hazard  ?" 

"  In  risking  your  own,  you  risk  all  to  me,"  was  the 
answer,  given  in  a  tone  so  resigned,  and  yet  so  falter 
ing,  that  the  tremulous  and  nearly  smothered  sounds 
caught  no  ears  but  those  for  whom  they  were  in 
tended. 

The  Rover  for  a  time  replied  not.  His  hand  still 
kept  its  place  on  the  shoulder  of  the  boy,  whose  work 
ing  features  his  riveted  eye  read,  as  the  organ  is  some 
times  wont  to  endeavour  to  penetrate  the  mystery  of 
the  human  heart. 

"  Roderick,"  he  at  length  said,  in  a  milder  and  a 
far  kinder  voice,  "your  lot  shall  be  mine;  we  go 
together." 

Then,  dashing  his  hand  hastily  across  his  brow 
the  wayward  chief  ascended  the  ladder,  attended  by 
the  lad,  and  followed  by  the  individual  in  whose  faith 
he  reposed  so  great  a  trust.  The  step  with  which 
the  Rover  trod  his  deck  was  firm,  and  the  bearing  of 
his  form  as  steady  as  though  he  felt  no  hazard  in  his 
undertaking.  His  look  passed,  with  a  seaman's  care, 
from  sail  to  sail ;  and  not  a  brace,  yard,  or  bow-line 
escaped  the  quick  understanding  glances  he  cast  about 
him,  before  he  proceeded  to  the  side,  in  order  to  en 
ter  a  boat  which  he  had  already  ordered  to  be  in 
waiting.  A  glimmering  of  distrust  and  hesitation 


THE    RED    ROVER,  447 

was  now,  for  the  first  time,  discoverable  through  the 
haughty  and  bold  decision  of  his  features.  For  a  mo 
ment,  his  foot  lingered  on  the  ladder.  "  Davis,"  he 
said  sternly  to  the  individual  whom,  by  his  own  ex 
perience,  he  knew  to  be  so  long  practised  in  treach 
ery,  "  leave  the  boat.  Send  me  the  gruff  captain 
of  the  forecastle  in  his  place.  So  bold  a  talker,  in 
common,  should  know  how  to  be  silent  at  need." 

The  exchange  was  instantly  made ;  for  no  one, 
there,  was  ever  known  to  dispute  a  mandate  that  was 
uttered  with  the  air  of  authority  he  then  wore.  A 
deeply  intent  attitude  of  thought  succeeded,  and  then 
every  shadow  of  care  vanished  from  that  brow,  on 
which  a  look  of  high  and  generous  confidence  was 
seated,  as  he  added, — 

"  Wilder,  adieu  !  I  leave  you  Captain  of  my  peo 
ple,  and  master  of  my  fate  :  Certain  I  am  that  both 
trusts  are  reposed  in  worthy  hands." 

Without  waiting  for  reply,  as  if  he  scorned  the  vain 
ceremony  of  idle  assurances,  he  descended  swiftly  to 
the  boat,  which  at  the  next  instant  was  pulling  bold 
ly  towards  the  King's  cruiser.  The  brief  interval 
which  succeeded,  between  the  departure  of  the  ad 
venturers  and  their  arrival  at  the  hostile  ship,  was 
one  of  intense  and  absorbing  suspense  on  the  part  of 
all  whom  they  had  left  behind.  The  individual  most 
interested  in  the  event,  however,  betrayed  neither  in 
eye  nor  movement  any  of  the  anxiety  which  so  in 
tently  beset  the  minds  of  his  followers.  He  mount 
ed  the  side  of  his  enemy  amid  the  honours  due  to  his 
imaginary  rank,  with  a  self-possession  and  ease  that 
might  readily  have  been  mistaken,  by  those  who  be 
lieve  these  fancied  qualities  have  a  real  existence,  for 
the  grace  and  dignity  of  lofty  recollections  and  high 
birth.  His  reception,  by  the  honest  veteran  whose 
long  and  hard  services  had  received  but  a  meager 
reward  in  the  vessel  he  commanded,  was  frank,  man- 


448  THE  RED  ROVER. 

ly,  and  seaman-like.  No  sooner  had  the  usual  greet 
ings  passed,  than  the  latter  conducted  his  guest  into 
his  own  apartments. 

"  Find  such  a  birth,  Captain  Howard,  as  suits  your 
inclination,"  said  the  unceremonious  old  seaman, 
seating  himself  as  frankly  as  he  invited  his  compan- 
ion  to  imitate  his  example.  "  A  gentleman  of  your 
extraordinary  merit  must  be  reluctant  to  lose  time  in 
useless  words,  though  you  are  so  young — young  for 
the  pretty  command  it  is  your  good  fortune  to  enjoy !" 

"  On  the  contrary,  I  do  assure  you  I  begin  to  feel 
myself  quite  an  antediluvian,"  returned  the  Rover, 
coolly  placing  himself  at  the  opposite  side  of  the 
table,  where  he  might,  from  time  to  time,  look  his 
half-disgusted  companion  full  in  the  eye:  "Would 
you  imagine  it,  sir?  1  shall  have  reached  the  age  of 
three-and-twenty,  if  I  live  through  the  day." 

"  I  had  given  you  a  few  more  years,  young  gentle 
man  ;  but  London  can  ripen  the  human  face  as  speed 
ily  as  the  Equator." 

"  You  never  said  truer  words,  sir.  Of  all  cruising 
grounds,  Heaven  defend  me  from  that  of  St.  James's! 
I  do  assure  you,  Bignall,  the  service  is  quite  sufficient 
to  wear  out  the  strongest  constitution.  There  were 
moments  when  I  really  thought  1  should  have  died 
that  humble,  disagreeable  mortal — a  lieutenant !" 

"  Your  disease  would  then  have  been  a  galloping 
consumption !"  muttered  the  indignant  old  seaman. 
"  They  have  sent  you  out  in  a  pretty  boat  at  last, 
Captain  Howard." 

"  She's  bearable,  Bignall,  but  frightfully  small.  I 
told  my  father,  that,  if  the  First  Lord  didn't  speedily 
regenerate  the  service,  by  building  more  comfortable 
vessels,  the  navy  would  get  altogether  into  vulgar 
hands.  Don't  you  find  the  motion  excessively  an 
noying  in  these  single-deck'd  ships,  Bignall  ?" 

"  When  a  man  has  been  tossing  up  and  down  for 


THE    RED    ROVER.  449 

five-and-forty  years,  Captain  Howard,"  returned  hia 
host,  stroking  his  gray  locks,  for  want  of  some  other 
manner  of  suppressing  his  ire,  "  he  gets  to  be  indif 
ferent  whether  his  ship  pitches  a  foot  more  or  a  foot 
less." 

"  Ah !  that,  I  dare  say,  is  what  one  calls  philo 
gophical  equanimity,  though  little  to  my  humour.  But, 
after  this  cruise,  I  am  to  be  posted ;  and  then  I  shall 
make  interest  for  a  guard-ship  in  the  Thames  ;  every 
thing  goes  by  interest  now-a-days,  you  know,  Big- 
nail." 

The  honest  old  tar  swallowed  his  displeasure  as 
well  as  he  could;  and,  as  the  most  effectual  means  of 
keeping  himself  in  a  condition  to  do  credit  to  his  own 
hospitality,  he  hastened  to  change  the  subject. 

"  I  hope,  among  other  new  fashions,  Captain  How 
ard,"  he  said,  "  the  flag  of  Old  England  continues  to 
fly  over  the  Admiralty.  You  wore  the  colours  of 
Louis  so  long  this  morning,  that  another  half  hour 
might  have  brought  us  to  loggerheads." 

"  Oh !  that  was  an  excellent  military  ruse !  I  shall 
certainly  write  the  particulars  of  that  deception 
home." 

"  Do  so ;  do  so,  sir ;  you  may  get  knighthood  for 
the  exploit." 

"  Horrible,  Bignall !  my  Lady  mother  would  faint 
at  the  suggestion.  Nothing  so  low  has  been  in  the 
family,  I  do  assure  you,  since  the  time  when  chivalry 
was  genteel." 

"Well,  well,  Captain  Howard,  it  was  happy  for  us 
both  that  you  got  rid  of  your  Gallic  humour  so  soon; 
for  a  little  more  time  would  have  drawn  a  broadside 
from  me.  By  heavens,  sir,  the  guns  of  this  ship 
would  have  gone  off  of  themselves,  in  another  five 
minutes!" 

"  It  is  quite  happy  as  it  is. — What  do  you  find  to 
amuse  you  (yawning)  in  this  dull  quarter  of  the  world, 
Bignall?" 

2P2 


450  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"Why,  sir,  what  between  his  Majesty's  enemies, 
the  care  of  ray  ship,  and  the  company  of  my  officers, 
1  find  few  heavy  moments." 

"  Ah !  your  officers  :  True,  you  must  have  officers 
on  board;  though,  I  suppose,  they  are  a  little  oldish  to 
be  agreeable  to  you.  Will  you  favour  me  with  a  sight 
of  the  list?" 

The  Commander  of  the  *  Dart'  did  as  he  was  re 
quested,  putting  the  quarter-bill  of  his  ship  into  the 
hands  of  his  unknown  enemy,  with  an  eye  that  was 
far  too  honest  to  condescend  to  bestow  even  a  look 
on  a  being  so  much  despised. 

"What  a  list  of  thorough  'mouthers!  All  Yar 
mouth,  and  Plymouth,  and  Portsmouth,  and  Exmouth 
names,  I  do  affirm.  Here  are  Smiths  enough  to  do 
the  iron- work  of  the  whole  ship.  Ha !  here  is  a  fel 
low  that  might  do  good  service  in  a  deluge.  Who 
may  be  this  Henry  Ark,  that  I  find  rated  as  your  first 
lieutenant?" 

"A  youth  who  wants  but  a  few  drops  of  your 
blood,  Captain  Howard,  to  be  one  day  at  the  head 
of  his  Majesty's  fleet." 

"  If  he  be  then  so  extraordinary  for  his  merit,  Cap 
tain  Bignall,  may  I  presume  on  your  politeness  to  ask 
him  to  favour  us  with  his  society.  I  always  give  my  lieu 
tenant  half  an  hour  of  a  morning — if  lie  be  genteel." 

"  Poor  boy !  God  knows  where  he  is  to  be  found 
at  this  moment.  The  noble  fellow  has  embarked, 
of  his  own  accord,  on  a  most  dangerous  service,  and 
I  am  as  ignorant  as  yourself  of  his  success.  Remon 
strance,  and  even  entreaties,  were  of  no  avail.  The 
Admiral  had  great  need  of  a  suitable  agent,  and  the 

food  of  the  nation  demanded  the  risk;  then,  you 
now,  men  of  humble  birth  must  earn  their  prefer 
ment  in  cruising  elsewhere  than  at  St.  James's  ;  for 
the  brave  lad  is  indebted  to  a  wreck,  in  which  he 
was  found  an  infant,  for  the  very  name  you  find  so 
singular." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  451 

41  He  is,  however,  still  borne  upon  your  books  as 
first  lieutenant?" 

"  And  I  hope  ever  will  be,  until  he  shall  get  the 
ship  he  so  well  merits. — Good  Heaven !  are  you  ill 
Captain  Howard  ?  Boy,  a  tumbler  of  grog  here." 

"  I  thank  you,  sir,"  returned  the  Rover,  smiling 
calmly,  and  rejecting  the  offered  beverage,  as  the 
blood  returned  into  his  features,  with  a  violence  that 
threatened  to  break  through  the  ordinary  boundaries 
of  its  currents.  "  It  is  no  more  than  an  ailing  I  in 
herit  from  my  mother.  We  call  it,  in  our  family,  the 
1  de  Vere  ivory ;'  for  no  other  reason,  that  I  could 
ever  learn,  than  that  one  of  my  female  ancestors  was 
particularly  startled,  in  a  delicate  situation,  you  know, 
by  an  elephant's  tooth.  I  am  told  it  has  rather  an 
amiable  look,  while  it  lasts." 

"  It  has  the  look  of  a  man  who  is  fitter  for  his 
mother's  nursery  than  a  gale  of  wind.  But  I  am  glad 
it  is  so  soon  over." 

"  No  one  wears  the  same  face  long  now-a-days, 
Bignall. — And  so  this  Mr  Ark  is  not  any  body,  after 
all !" 

"  I  know  not  what  you  call  *  any  body,'  sir ;  but, 
if  sterling  courage,  great  professional  merit,  and  stern 
loyalty,  count  for  any  thing  on  your  late  cruising 
grounds,  Captain  Howard,  Henry  Ark  will  soon  be 
in  command  of  a  frigate." 

"  Perhaps,  if  one  only  knew  exactly  on  what  to 
found  his  claims,"  continued  the  Rover,  with  a  smile 
so  kind,  and  a  voice  so  insinuating,  that  they  half 
counteracted  the  effect  of  his  assumed  manner,  "  a 
word  might  be  dropped,  in  a  letter  home,  that  should 
do  the  youth  no  harm." 

"  I  would  to  Heaven  I  dare  but  reveal  the  nature 
of  the  service  he  is  on  !"  eagerly  returned  the  warm 
hearted  old  seaman,  who  was  as  quick  to  forget,  as 
he  was  sudden  to  feel,  disgust.  "  You  may,  how 
ever,  safely  say,  from  his  general  character,  that  it  is 


452  THE    RED    ROVER. 

honourable,  hazardous,  and  has  the  entire  good  of 
his  Majesty's  subjects  in  view.  Indeed,  an  hour  has 
scarcely  gone  by  since  I  thought  that  it  was  com 
pletely  successful. — Do  you  often  set  your  lofty  sails, 
Captain  Howard,  while  the  heavier  canvas  is  rolled 
upon  the  yards  ?  To  me,  a  ship  clothed  in  that  style 
looks  something  like  a  man  with  his  coat  on,  before 
he  has  cased  his  legs  in  the  lower  garment." 

"You  allude  to  the  accident  of  my  maintop-gal- 
lant-sail  getting  loose  when  you  first  made  me  ?" 

"  I  mean  no  other.  We  had  caught  a  glimpse  of 
your  spars  with  the  glass  ;  but  had  lost  you  altogether, 
when  the  flying  duck  met  the  eye  of  a  look-out.  To 
say  the  least,  it  was  remarkable,  and  it  might  have 
proved  an  awkward  circumstance." 

"  Ah  !  I  often  do  things  in  that  way,  in  order  to  be 
odd.  It  is  a  sign  of  cleverness  to  be  odd,  you  know. 
— But  I,  too,  am  sent  into  these  seas  on  a  special 
errand." 

"  Such  as  what  ?"  bluntly  demanded  his  compan 
ion,  with  an  uneasiness  about  his  frowning  eye  that 
he  was  far  too  simple-minded  to  conceal. 

"  To  look  for  a  ship  that  will  certainly  give  me  a 
famous  lift,  should  I  have  the  good  luck  to  fall  in  with 
her.  For  some  time,  I  took  you  for  the  very  gentle 
man  I  was  in  search  of;  and  I  do  assure  you,  if  your 
signals  had  not  been  so  very  unexceptionable,  some 
thing  serious  might  have  happened  between  us." 

"  And  pray,  sir,  for  whom  did  you  take  me  ?" 

"  For  no  other  than  that  notorious  knave  the  Red 
Rover." 

"  The  devil  you  did  !  And  do  you  suppose,  Cap 
tain  Howard,  there  is  a  pirate  afloat  who  carries  such 
hamper  above  his  head  as  is  to  be  found  aboard  the 
Dart  ?'  Such  a  set  to  her  sails — such  a  step  to  her 
masts — and  such  a  trim  to  her  hull  ?  I  hope,  for  the 
honour  of  your  vessel,  sir,  that  the  mistake  went  no 
further  than  the  Captain?" 


THE   RED    ROVER.  453 

"  Until  we  got  within  reading  distance  of  the  sig 
nals,  at  least  a  moiety  of  the  better  opinions  in  my 
ship  was  dead  against  you,  Bignall,  I  give  you  my 
declaration.  You've  really  been  so  long  from  home, 
that  the  '  Dart'  is  getting  quite  a  roving  look.  You 
may  not  be  sensible  of  it,  but  I  assure  you  of  the 
fact  merely  as  a  friend." 

"  And,  perhaps,  since  you  did  me  the  honour  to 
mistake  my  vessel  for  a  freebooter,"  returned  the  old 
tar,  smothering  his  ire  in  a  look  of  facetious  irony, 
which  changed  the  expression  of  his  mouth  to  a 
grim  grin,  "you  might  have  conceited  this  honest 
gentleman  here  to  be  no  other  than  Beelzebub." 

As  he  spoke,  the  Commander  of  the  ship,  which 
had  borne  so  odious  an  imputation,  directed  the  eyes 
of  his  companion  to  the  form  of  a  third  individual, 
who  had  entered  the  cabin  with  the  freedom  of  a 
privileged  person,  but  with  a  tread  so  light  as  to  be 
inaudible.  As  this  unexpected  form  met  the  quick, 
impatient  glance  of  the  pretended  officer  of  the 
Crown,  he  arose  involuntarily,  and,  for  half  a  minute, 
that  admirable  command  of  muscle  and  nerve,  which 
had  served  him  so  well  in  maintaining  his  masque 
rade,  appeared  entirely  to  desert  him.  The  loss  of 
self-possession,  however,  was  but  for  a  tinee  so  short 
as  to  attract  no  notice ;  and  he  coolly  returned  the 
salutations  of  an  aged  man,  of  a  meek  and  subdued 
look,  with  that  air  of  blandness  and  courtesy  which 
he  so  well  knew  how  to  assume. 

"  This  gentleman  is  your  chaplain,  sir,  I  presume, 
by  his  clerical  attire,"  he  said,  after  he  had  exchang 
ed  bows  with  the  stranger. 

"  He  is,  sir — a  worthy  and  honest  man,  whom  I 
am  not  ashamed  to  call  my  friend.  After  a  separa 
tion  of  thirty  years,  the  Admiral  has  been  good 
enough  to  lend  him  to  me  for  the  cruise  ;  and,  though 
my  ship  is  none  of  the  largest,  I  believe  he  finds  him 
self  as  comfortable  in  her  as  he  would  aboard  the 


454  THE   RED   ROVER. 

flag. — This  gentleman,  Doctor,  is  the  honourable  Cap 
tain  Howard,  of  his  Majesty's  ship  'Antelope.'  1 
need  not  expatiate  on  his  remarkable  merit,  since  the 
command  he  bears,  at  his  years,  is  a  sufficient  testi 
mony  on  that  important  particular." 

There  was  a  look  of  bewildered  surprise  in  the 
gaze  of  the  divine,  when  his  glance  first  fell  upon  the 
features  of  the  pretended  scion  of  nobility ;  but  it 
was  far  less  striking  than  had  been  that  of  the  subject 
of  his  gaze,  and  of  much  shorter  continuance.  He 
again  bowed  meekly,  and  with  that  deep  reverence 
which  long  use  begets,  even  in  the  best-intentioned 
minds,  when  brought  in  contact  with  the  fancied 
superiority  of  hereditary  rank  ;  but  he  did  not  appear 
to  consider  the  occasion  one  that  required  he  should 
say  more  than  the  customary  words  of  salutation. 
The  Rover  turned  calmly  to  his  veteran  companion, 
and  continued  the  discourse. 

"  Captain  Bignall,"  he  said,  again  wearing  that 
grace  of  manner  which  became  him  so  well,  "  it  is 
my  duty  to  follow  your  motions  in  this  interview.  I 
will  now  return  to  my  ship  ;  and  if,  as  I  begin  to  sus 
pect,  we  are  in  these  seas  on  a  similar  errand,  we 
can  concert  at  our  leisure  a  system  of  co-operation, 
which,  properly  matured  by  your  experience,  may 
serve  to  bring  about  the  common  end  we  have  in 
view." 

Greatly  mollified  by  this  concession  to  his  years 
and  to  his  rank,  the  Commander  of  the  "Dart"  press 
ed  his  hospitalities  warmly  on  his  guest,  winding  up 
his  civilities  by  an  invitation  to  join  in  a  marine  feast 
at  an  hour  somewhat  later  in  the  day.  All  the  for 
mer  offers  were  politely  declined,  while  ,the  latter 
was  accepted ;  the  invited  making  the  invitation 
itself  an  excuse  that  he  should  return  to  his  own  ves 
sel,  in  order  that  he  might  select  such  of  his  officers 
as  he  should  deem  most  worthy  of  participating  in 
the  dainties  of  the  promised  banquet.  The  veteran 


THE   REtt   ROTEK  455 

and  really  meritorious  Bignall,  notwithstanding  the 
ordinary  sturdy  blustering  of  his  character,  had  served 
too  long  in  indigence  and  comparative  obscurity 
not  to  feel  some  of  the  longings  of  human  nature  for 
his  hard-earned  and  protracted  preferment.  He  con 
sequently  kept,  in  the  midst  of  all  his  native  and 
manly  honesty,  a  saving-eye  on  the  means  of  accom 
plishing  this  material  object.  It  is  to  occasion  no  sur 
prise,  therefore,  that  his  parting  from  the  supposed 
son  of  a  powerful  champion  at  Court  was  more  ami 
cable  than  had  been  the  meeting.  The  Rover  was 
bowed,  from  the  cabin  to  the  deck,  with  at  least  an 
appearance  of  returning  good-will.  On  reaching  the 
latter,  a  hurried,  suspicious,  and  perhaps  an  uneasy 
glance  was  thrown  from  his  resfless  eyes  on  all  those 
faces  thai  were  grouped  around  the  gangway,  by 
which  he  was  about  to  leave  the  ship  ;  but  their  ex 
pression  instantly  became  calm  again,  and  a  little  su 
percilious  withal,  in  order  to  do  no  discredit  to  the 
part  in  the  comedy  which  it  was  his  present  humour 
to  enact.  Then,  shaking  the  worthy  and  thoroughly- 
deceived  old  seaman  heartily  by  the  hand,  he  touch 
ed  his  hat,  with  an  air  half-haughty,  half-condescend 
ing,  to  his  inferiors.  He  was  in  the  act  of  descend 
ing  into  the  boat,  when  the  chaplain  was  seen  to 
whisper  something,  with  great  earnestness,  in  the  ear 
of  his  Captain.  The  Commander  hastened  to  recall 
his  departing  guest,  desiring  him,  with  startling  gravi 
ty,  to  lend  him  his  private  attention  for  another  mo 
ment.  Suffering  himself  to  be  led  apart  by  the  two 
the  Rover  stood  awraiting  their  pleasure,  with  a  cool 
ness  of  demeanour  that,  under  the  peculiar  circum 
stances  of  his  case,  did  signal  credit  to  his  nerves. 

"  Captain  Howard,"  resumed  the  warm-hearted 
Bignall,  "  have  you  a  gentleman  of  the  cloth  in  your 
vessel?" 

"  Two,  sir,"  was  the  ready  answer. 

"  Two  !    It  is  rare  to  find  a  supernumerary  priest 


456  THE   RED   ROVER. 

in  a  man  of  war !  But,  I  suppose,  Court  influence 
could  give  the  fellow  a  bishop,"  muttered  the  other. 
"  You  are  fortunate  in  this  particular,  young  gentle 
man,  since  I  am  indebted  to  inclination,  rather  than 
to  custom,  for  the  society  of  my  worthy  friend  here 
He  has,  however,  made  a  point  that  1  should  include 
the  reverend  gentleman — I  should  say  gentlemen — 
in  the  invitation." 

"  You  shall  have  all  the  divinity  of  my  ship,  Big 
nail,  on  my  faith." 

"  I  believe  I  was  particular  in  naming  your  first 
lieutenant." 

"  Oh !  dead  or  alive,  he  shall  surely  be  of  your 
party,"  returned  the  Rover,  with  a  suddenness  and 
vehemence  of  utterance  that  occasioned  both  his  au 
ditors  to  start  with  surprise.  "  You  may  not  find  him 
an  ark  to  rest  your  weary  foot  on ;  but,  such  as  he 
is,  he  is  entirely  at  your  service.  And  now,  once 
more,  I  salute  you." 

Bowing  again,  he  proceeded,  with  his  former  de 
liberate  air,  over  the  gangway,  keeping  his  eye  rivet 
ed  on  the  lofty  gear  of  the  "  Dart,"  as  he  descended 
her  side,  with  much  that  sort  of  expression  with  which 
a  petit-maitre  is  apt  to  regard  the  fashion  of  the  gar 
ments  of  one  newly  arrived  from  the  provinces.  His 
superior  repeated  his  invitation  with  warmth,  and 
waved  his  hand  in  a  frank  but  temporary  adieu  ;  thus 
unconsciously  suffering  the  man  to  escape  him  whose 
capture  would  have  purchased  the  long  postponed 
and  still  distant  advantages  for  whose  possession  he 
secretly  pined,  with  all  the  withering  longings  of  a 
hope  cruelly  deferred. 


THE    RED   ROVER.  457 


CHAPTER  XXYIIL 

. "  Let  them  accuse  me  by  iavention;  I  will  answer  in  mine 

feonour." — Coriolanus. 

u  YES  !"  muttered  the  Rover,  with  bitter  irony,  as 
his  boat  rowed  under  the  stern  of  the  cruiser  of  the 
Crown  ;  "  yes  !  I,  and  my  officers,  will  taste  of  your 
banquet !  But  the  viands  shall  be  such  as  these  hire 
lings  of  the  King  shall  little  relish! — Pull  with  a  will, 
my  men,  pull ;  in  an  hour,  you  shall  rummage  the 
store-rooms  of  that  fool,  for  your  reward !" 

The  greedy  freebooters  who  manned  the  oars  could 
scarcely  restrain  their  shouts,  in  order  to  maintain 
that  air  of  moderation  which  policy  still  imposed ; 
but  they  gave  vent  to  their  excitement,  in  redoubled 
efforts  in  propelling  the  pinnace.  In  another  min 
ute,  the  adventurers  were  all  in  safety  again  under 
the  sheltering  guns  of  the  "Dolphin." 

His  people  gathered,  from  the  haughty  gleamings 
that  were  flashing  from  the  eyes  of  the  Rover,  as  his 
foot  once  more  touched  the  deck  of  his  own  ship, 
that  the  period  of  some  momentous  action  was  at 
hand.  For  an  instant,  he  lingered  on  the  quarter 
deck,  surveying,  with  a  sort  of  stern  joy,  the  sturdy 
materials  of  his  lawless  command ;  and  then,  with 
out  speaking,  he  abruptly  entered  his  proper  cabin 
either  forgetful  that  he  had  conceded  its  use  to  others 
or,  in  the  present  excited  state  of  his  mind,  utterly 
indifferent  to  the  change.  A  sudden  and  tremendous 
blow  on  the  gong  announced  to  the  alarmed  females, 
who  had  ventured  from  their  secret  place,  under  the 
present  amicable  appearances  between  the  two  ships, 
not  only  his  presence,  but  his  humour. 

"  Let  the  first  lieutenant  be  told  I  await  him,"  was 
the  stern  order  that  followed  the  appearance  of  the 
attendant  he  had  summoned. 
2Q 


458  THE    RED    ROVER. 

During  the  short  period  which  elapsed  before  his 
mandate  could  be  obeyed,  the  Rover  seemed  strug 
gling  with  an  emotion  that  choaked  him.  But  when 
the  door  of  the  cabin  was  opened,  and  Wilder  stood 
before  him,  the  most  suspicious  and  closest  observer 
might  have  sought  in  vain  any  evidence  of  the  fierce 
passion  which  in  reality  agitated  the  inward  man. 
With  the  recovery  of  his  self-command,  returned  a 
recollection  of  the  manner  of  his  intrusion  into  a 
place  which  he  had  himself  ordained  should  be  priv 
ileged.  It  was  then  that  he  first  sought  the  shrinking 
forms  of  the  females,  and  hastened  to  relieve  the  ter 
ror  that  was  too  plainly  to  be  seen  in  their  counte 
nances,  by  words  of  apology  and  explanation. 

"  In  the  hurry  of  an  interview  with  a  friend,"  he 
said,  "  I  may  have  forgotten  that  I  am  host  to  even 
such  guests  as  it  is  my  happiness  to  entertain,  though 
it  be  done  so  very  indifferently." 

"  Spare  your  civilities,  sir,"  said  Mrs  Wyllys,  with 
dignity  :  "  In  order  to  make  us  less  sensible  of  any 
intrusion,  be  pleased  to  act  the  master  here." 

The  Rover  first  saw  the  ladies  seated  ;  and  then, 
like  one  who  appeared  to  think  the  occasion  might 
excuse  any  little  departure  from  customary  forms,  he 
signed,  with  a  smile  of  high  courtesy,  to  his  lieuten 
ant  to  imitate  their  example. 

41  His  Majesty's  artisans  have  sent  worse  ships  than 
the  '  Dart1  upon  the  ocean,  Wilder,"  he  commenced, 
with  a  significant  look,  as  if  he  intended  that  the 
other  should  supply  all  the  meaning  that  his  words 
did  not  express ;  "  but  his  ministers  might  have  se 
lected  a  more  observant  individual  for  the  command." 

"  Captain  Bignall  has  the  reputation  of  a  brave 
and  an  honest  man." 

"  Ay  !  He  should  deserve  it;  for,  strip  him  of  these 
qualities,  and  little  would  remain.  He  gives  me  to 
understand  that  he  is  especially  sent  into  this  latitude 
in  quest  of  a  ship  that  we  have  all  heard  of,  eithei 


THE    RED    ROVER.  459 

in  good  or  m  evil  report ;  I  speak  of  the  4  Red 
Rover!'" 

The  involuntary  start  of  Mrs  Wyllys,  and  the  sud 
den  manner  in  which  Gertrude  grasped  the- arm  oi 
her  governess,  were  certainly  seen  by  the  last  speak 
er,  but  in  no  degree  did  his  manner  betray  the  con 
sciousness  of  such  an  observation.  His  self-posses 
sion  was  admirably  emulated  by  his  male  companion, 
who  answered,  with  a  composure  that  no  jealousy 
could  have  seen  was  assumed, — 

"  His  cruise  will  be  hazardous,  not  to  say  without 
success." 

"  It  may  prove  both.  And  yet  he  has  lofty  expecta 
tions  of  the  results." 

"  He  probably  labours  under  the  common  error  as 
to  the  character  of  the  man  he  seeks." 

44  In  what  does  he  mistake?" 

44  In  supposing  that  he  will  encounter  an  ordinary 
freebooter — one  coarse,  rapacious,  ignorant,  and  in 
exorable,  like  others  of" 

44  Of  what,  sir?" 

"  I  would  have-  said,  of  his  class ;  but  a  mariner 
like  him  we  speak  of  forms  the  head  of  his  own 
order." 

44  We  will  call  him,  then,  by  his  popular  name,  Mr 
Wilder — a  rover.  But,  answer  me,  is  it  not  remark 
able  that  so  aged  and  experienced  a  seaman  should 
come  to  this  little  frequented  sea  in  quest  of  a  ship 
whose  pursuits  should  call  her  into  more  bustling 
scenes  ?" 

44  He  may  have  traced  her  through  the  narrow 
passages  of  the  islands,  and  followed  en  the  course 
she  has  last  been  seen  steering." 

44  He  may  indeed,"  returned  the  Rover,  musing  in 
tently.  "  Your  thorough  mariner  knows  how  to  cal 
culate  the  chances  of  winds  and  currents,  as  the  bird 
finds  its  way  in  air.  Still  a  description  of  the  ship 
should  be  needed  for  a  clue." 


460  THE    RED    ROVER 

The  eyes  of  Wilder,  notwithstanding  every  effort 
to  the  contrary,  sunk  before  the  piercing  gaze  they 
encountered,  as  he  answered, — 

"  Perhaps  he  is  not  without  that  knowledge,  too." 

"  Perhaps  not.  Indeed,  he  gave  me  reason  to  be 
lieve  he  has  an  agent  in  the  secrets  of  his  enemy. 
Nay,  he  expressly  avowed  the  same,  and  acknow 
ledged  that  his  prospects  of  success  depended  on  the 
skill  and  information  of  that  individual,  who  no 
doubt  has  his  private  means  of  communicating  what 
he  learns  of  the  movements  of  those  with  whom  he 
serves." 

"Did  he  name  him?" 

"  He  did." 

"  It  was  ?" 

"  Henry— Ark,  alias  Wilder." 

"  It  is  vain  to  attempt  denial,"  said  our  adven 
turer,  rising,  with  an  air  of  pride  that  he  intended 
should  conceal  the  uneasy  sensation  that  in  truth  be 
set  him  ;  "  I  find  you  know  me." 

"  For  a  false  traitor,  sir." 

"  Captain  Heidegger,  you  are  safe,  here,  in  using 
these  reproachful  terms." 

The  Rover  struggled,  and  struggled  successfully, 
to  keep  down  the  risings  of  his  temper;  but  the  effort 
lent  to  his  countenance  gleamings  of  fierce  and  bitter 
scorn. 

"  You  will  communicate  that  fact  also  to  your  su 
periors,"  he  said,  with  taunting  irony.  "  The  mon 
ster  of  the  seas,  he  who  plunders  defenceless  fisher 
men,  ravages  unprotected  coasts,  and  eludes  the  flag 
of  King  George,  as  other  serpents  steal  into  their 
caves  at  the  footstep  of  man,  is  safe  in  speaking  his 
mind,  backed  by  a  hundred  and  fifty  freebooters,  and 
in  the  security  of  his  own  cabin.  Perhaps  he  knows 
too,  that  he  is  breathing  in  the  atmosphere  of  peace 
ful  and  peace-making  woman." 

But  the  first  surprise  of  the  subject  of  his  scorn 


THE    RED    ROVER.  461 

had  passed,  and  he  was  neither  to  be  goaded  into  re 
tort,  nor  terrified  into  entreaties.  Folding  his  arms 
with  calmness,  Wilder  simply  replied, — 

"  I  have  incurred  this  risk,  in  order  to  drive  a 
scourge  from  the  ocean,  which  had  baffled  all  other 
attempts  at  its  extermination.  I  knew  the  hazard, 
and  shall  not  shrink  from  its  penalty." 

**  You  shall  not,  sir !"  returned  the  Rover,  striking 
the  gong  again  with  a  finger  that  appeared  to  carry 
in  its  touch  the  weight  of  a  giant.  "  Let  the  negro, 
and  the  topman  his  companion,  be  secured  in  irons, 
and,  on  no  account,  permit  them  to  communicate,  by 
word  or  signal,  with  the  other  ship." — When  the 
agent  of  his  punishments,  who  had  entered  at  the 
well-known  summons,  had  retired,  he  again  turned 
to  the  firm  and  motionless  form  that  stood  before 
him,  and  continued:  "Mr  Wilder,  there  is  a  law 
which  binds  this  community,  into  which  you  have  so 
treacherously  stolen,  together,  that  would  consign 
you,  and  your  miserable  confederates,  to  the  yard- 
arm,  the  instant  your  true  character  should  be  known 
to  my  people.  I  have  but  to  open  that  door,  and  to 
pronounce  the  nature  of  your  treason,  in  order  to 
give  you  up  to  the  tender  mercies  of  the  crew." 

"  You  will  not !  no,  you  will  not!"  cried  a  voice 
at  his  elbow,  which  thrilled  on  even  all  his  iron 
nerves.  "  You  have  forgotten  the  ties  which  bind 
man  to  his  fellows,  but  cruelty  is  not  natural  to  your 
heart.  By  all  the  recollections  of  your  earliest  and 
happiest  days ;  by  the  tenderness  and  pity  which 
watched  your  childhood ;  by  that  holy  and  omniscient 
Being  who  suffers  not  a  hair  of  the  innocent  to  go 
unrevenged,  I  conjure  you  to  pause,  before  you  for 
get  your  own  awful  responsibility.  No!  you  will 
not — cannot — dare  not  be  so  merciless  !" 

"What  fate  did  he  contemplate  for  me  and  my 
followers,  when  he  entered  on  this  insidious  design?" 
hoarsely  demanded  the  Rover. 
2Q2 


462  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  The  laws  of  God  and  man  are  with  him,"  con 
tinued  the  governess,  quailing  not,  as  her  own  con 
tracting  eye  met  the  stern  gaze  which  she  confronted 
"  'Tis  reason  that  speaks  in  my  voice ;  'tis  mercy 
which  I  know  is  pleading  at  your  heart.  The  cause, 
the  motive,  sanctify  his  acts ;  while  your  career  can  find 
justification  in  the  laws  neither  of  heaven  nor  earth." 

"  This  is  bold  language  to  sound  in  the  ears  of  a 
blood-seeking,  remorseless  pirate !"  said  the  other, 
looking  about  him  with  a  smile  so  proud  and  con 
scious,  that  it  seemed  to  proclaim  how  plainly  he 
saw  that  the  speaker  relied  on  the  very  reverse  of 
the  qualities  he  named. 

"  It  is  the  language  of  truth;  and  ears  like  yours 
cannot  be  deaf  to  the  sounds.  If" 

"  Lady,  cease,"  interrupted  the  Rover,  stretching 
his  arm  towards  her  with  calmness  and  dignity.  "  My 
resolution  was  formed  on  the  instant;  and  no  remon 
strance,  nor  apprehension  of  the  consequence,  can 
change  it.  Mr  Wilder,  you  are  free.  If  you  have 
not  served  me  as  faithfully  as  I  once  expected,  you 
have  taught  me  a  lesson  in  the  art  of  physiognomy, 
which  shall  leave  me  a  wiser  man  for  the  rest  of  my 
days." 

The  conscious  Wilder  stood  self-condemned  and 
humbled.  The  strugglings  which  stirred  his  inmost 
soul  were  easily  to  be  read  in  the  workings  of  a 
countenance  that  was  no  longer  masked  in  artifice, 
but  which  was  deeply  charged  with  shame  and  sor 
row.  The  conflict  lasted,  however,  but  for  a  moment. 

"  Perhaps  you  know  not  the  extent  of  my  object, 
Captain  Heidegger,"  he  said  ;  "  it  embraced  the  for 
feit  of  your  life,  and  the  destruction,  or  dispersion,  of 
your  crew." 

"  According  to  the  established  usages  of  that  por 
tion  of  the  world  which,  having  the  power,  oppresses 
the  remainder,  it  did.  Go,  sir;  rejoin  your  proper 
ship  ;  I  repeat,  you  are  free." 


THE    RED    6.0VER.  463 

<*  1  cannot  leave  you,  Captain  Heidegger,  without 
one  word  of  justification." 

"What!  can  the  hunted,  denounced,  and  con 
demned  freebooter  command  an  explanation  !  Is 
even  his  good  opinion  necessary  to  a  virtuous  servant 
of  the  Crown!" 

"  Use  such  terms  of  triumph  and  reproach  as  suit 
your  pleasure,  sir,"  returned  the  other,  reddening  to 
the  temples  as  he  spoke ;  "  to  me  your  language  can 
now  convey  no  offence  ;•  still  would  I  not  leave  you 
without  removing  part  of  the  odium  which  you  think 
I  merit." 

"  Speak  freely.     Sir,  you  are  my  guest." 

Although  the  most  cutting  revilings  could  not  have 
wounded  the  repentant  Wilder  so  deeply  as  this  gen 
erous  conduct,  he  so  far  subdued  his  feelings  as  to 
continue, — 

"  You  are  not  now  to  learn,"  he  said,  "  that  vul 
gar  rumour  has  given  a  colour  to  your  conduct  and 
character  which  is  not  of  a  quality  to  command  the 
esteem  of  men." 

"  You  may  find  leisure  to  deepen  the  tints,"  has 
tily  interrupted  his  listener,  though  the  emotion 
which  trembled  in  his  voice  plainly  denoted  how 
deeply  he  felt  the  wound  which  was  given  by  a  world 
he  affected  to  despise. 

"  If  called  upon  to  speak  at  all,  my  words  shall  be 
those  of  truth,  Captain  Heidegger.  But  is  it  sur 
prising,  that,  filled  with  the  ardour  of  a  service  that 
you  once  thought  honourable  yourself,  I  should  be 
found  willing  to  risk  life,  and  even  to  play  the  hypo 
crite,  in  order  to  achieve  an  object  that  would  not 
only  have  been  rewarded,  but  approved,  had  it  been 
successful  ?  With  such  sentiments  I  embarked  on 
the  enterprise  ;  but,  as  Heaven  is  my  judge,  your 
manly  confidence  had  half  disarmed  me  before  my 
foot  had  hardly  crossed  your  threshold." 

"  And  yet  you  turned  not  back  ?" 


464  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  There  might  have  been  powerful  reasons  to  the 
contrary,"  resumed  the  defendant,  unconsciously 
glancing  his  eyes  at  the  females  as  he  spoke.  "  J 
kept  my  faith  at  Newport ;  and,  had  my  two  follow 
ers  then  been  released  from  your  ship,  foot  of  mine 
should  never  have  entered  her  again." 

"  Young  man,  I  am  willing  to  believe  you.  I  think 
I  penetrate  your  motives.  You  have  played  a  deli 
cate  game ;  and,  instead  of  repining,  you  will  one 
day  rejoice  that  it  has  been  -fruitless.  Go,  sir ;  a  boat 
shall  attend  you  to  the  '  Dart'." 

"  Deceive  not  yourelf,  Captain  Heidegger,  in  be 
lieving  that  any  generosity  of  yours  can  shut  my  eyes 
to  my  proper  duty.  The  instant  I  am  seen  by  the 
Commander  of  the  ship  you  name,  your  character 
will  be  betrayed." 

"  I  expect  it." 

"  Nor  will  my  hand  be  idle  in  the  struggle  that 
must  follow.  I  may  die,  here,  a  victim  to  my  mis 
take,  if  you  please  ;  but,  the  moment  I  am  released, 
I  become  your  enemy." 

"  Wilder !"  exclaimed  the  Rover,  grasping  his 
hand,  with  a  smile  that  partook  of  the  wild  peculiar 
ity  of  the  action,  u  we  should  have  been  acquainted 
earlier  !  But  regret  is  idle.  Go  ;  should  my  people 
learn  the  truth,  any  remonstrances  of  mine  would  be 
like  whispers  in  a  whirlwind." 

"When  last  Ivjoined  the  *  Dolphin,'  I  did  not 
come  alone." 

"  Is  it  not  enough,"  rejoined  the  Rover,  coldly  re 
coiling  for  a  step,  "  that  I  offer  liberty  and  life  ?" 

"  Of  what  service  can  a  being,  fair,  helpless,  and 
unfortunate  as  this,  be  in  a  ship  devoted  to  pursuits 
like  those  of  the  *  Dolphin?'" 

"  Am  I  to  be  cut  off  for  ever  from  communion 
with  the  best  of  my  kind  !  Go,  sir ;  leave  me  the  im 
age  of  virtue,  at  least,  though  I  may  be  wanting  io 
its  substance." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  465 

u  Captain  Heidegger,  once,  in  the  warmth  of  your 
better  feelings,  you  pronounced  a  pledge  in  favour 
of  these  females,  which  I  hope  came  deep  from  the 
heart." 

"  I  understand  you,  sir.  What  I  then  said  is  not, 
and  shall  not,  be  forgotten.  But  whither  would  you 
lead  your  companions  ?  Is  not  one  vessel  on  the  high 
seas  as  safe  as  another  ?  Am  I  to  be  deprived  of  eve 
ry  means  of  making  friends  unto  myself?  Leave  me 
sir — go — you  may  linger  until  my  permission  to  de 
part  cannot  avail  you." 

"  I  shall  never  desert  my  charge,"  said  Wilder, 
firmly. 

"  Mr.  Wilder — or  I  should  rather,  call  you  Lieuten 
ant  Ark,  I  believe" — returned  the  Rover,  "  you  may 
trifle  with  my  good  nature  till  the  moment  of  your 
own  security  shall  be  past." 

"  Act  your  will  on  me :  1  die  at  my  post,  or  go  ac 
companied  by  those  with  whom  I  came." 

"  Sir,  the  acquaintance  of  which  you  boast  is  not 
older  than  my  own.  How  know  you  that  they  pre 
fer  you  for  their  protector?  I  have  deceived  myself, 
and  done  poor  justice  to  my  own  intentions,  if  they 
have  found  cause  for  complaints,  since  their  happi 
ness  or  comfort  has  been  in  my  keeping.  Speak,  fair 
one  ;  which  will  you  for  a  protector  ?" 

"  Leave  me,  leave  me !"  exclaimed  Gertrude,  veil 
ing  her  eyes,  in  terror,  from  the  insidious  smile  with 
which  he  approached  her,  as  she  would  have  avoided 
the  attractive  glance  of  a  basilisk.  "  Oh  !  if  you  have 
pity  in  your  heart,  let  us  quit  your  ship  !" 

Notwithstanding  the  vast  self-command  which  the 
being  she  so  ungovernably  and  spontaneously  repelled 
had  in  common  over  his  feelings,  no  effort  could  re 
press  the  look  of  deep  and  humiliating  mortification 
with  which  he  heard  her.  A  cold  and  haggard  smile 
gleamed  over  his  features,  as  he  murmured,  in  a  voice 
which  he  in  vain  endeavoured  to  smother, — 


466  THE   RED    ROVER. 

"I  have  purchased  this  disgust  from  all  my  species, 
and  dearly  must  the  penalty  be  paid !— Lady,  you 
and  your  lovely  ward  are  the  mistresses  of  your  own 
acts.  This  ship,  and  this  cabin,  are  at  your  com 
mand  ;  or,  if  you  elect  to  quit  both,  others  will  re 
ceive  you." 

"  Safety  for  our  sex  is  only  to  be  found  beneath 
the  fostering  protection  of  the  laws,"  said  Mrs  Wyl- 
lys.  "  Would  to  God !" 

"  Enough  !"  he  interrupted,  "  you  shall  accompany 
your  friend.  The  ship  will  not  be  emptier  than  my 
heart,  when  all  have  left  me." 

"  Did  you  call  ?"  asked  a  low  voice  at  his  elbow, 
in  tones  so  plaintive  and  mild,  that  they  could  not 
fail  to  catch  his  ear. 

"  Roderick,"  he  hurriedly  replied,  "you  will  find 
occupation  below.  Leave  us,  good  Roderick.  For 
a  while,  leave  me. 

Then,  as  if  anxious  to  close  the  scene  as  speedily 
as  possible,  he  gave  another  of  his  signals  on  the 
gong.  An  order  was  given  to  convey  Fid  and  the 
black  into  a  boat,  whither  he  also  sent  the  scanty 
baggage  of  his  female  guests.  So  soon  as  these  brief 
arrangements  were  completed,  he  handed  the  gov 
erness,  with  studied  courtesy,  through  his  wonder 
ing  people,  to  the  side,  and  saw  her  safely  seated, 
with  her  ward  and  Wilder,  in  the  pinnace.  The  oars 
were  manned  by  the  two  seamen,  and  a  silent  adieu 
was  given  by  a  wave  of  his  hand ;  after  which  he 
disappeared  from  those  to  whom  their  present  release 
seemed  as  imaginary  and  unreal  as  had  appeared 
their  late  captivity. 

The  threat  of  the  interference  of  the  crew  of  the 
"  Dolphin"  was,  however,  still  ringing  in  the  ears  of 
Wilder.  He  made  an  impatient  gesture  to  his  at 
tendants  to  ply  their  oars,  cautiously  steering  the  boa* 
on  such  a  course  as  should  soonest  lead  her  from  be 
neath  the  guns  of  the  freebooters.  While  passing 


THE  RED  ROVER.  467 

under  the  stern  of  the  "  Dolphin,"  a  hoarse  hail  was 
sent  across  the  waters,  and  the  voice  of  the  Rover 
was  heard  speaking  to  the  Commander  of  the  "  Dart." 

"  I  send  you  a  party  of  your  guests,"  he  said ;  "  and, 
among  them,  all  the  divinity  of  my  ship." 

The  passage  was  short ;  nor  was  time  given  for 
any  of  the  liberated  to  arrange  their  thoughts,  before 
it  became  necessary  to  ascend  the  side  of  the  cruiser 
of  the  Crown. 

"  Heaven  help  us  1"  exclaimed  Bignall,  catching  i 
glimpse  of  the  sex  of  his  visiters  through  a  port 
"  Heaven  help  us  both,  Parson !  That  young  hair 
brained  fellow  has  sent  us  a  brace  of  petticoat* 
aboard ;  and  these  the  profane  reprobate  calls  his  di 
vinities  !  One  may  easily  guess  where  he  has  picked 
up  such  quality  ^  but  cheer  up,  Doctor ;  one  may  hon 
estly  forget  the  cloth  in  five  fathom  water,  you 
know." 

The  facetious  laugh  of  the  old  Commander  of  the 
"  Dart"  betrayed  that  he  was  more  than  half  disposed 
to  overlook  the  fancied  presumption  of  his  audacious 
inferior ;  furnishing  a  sort  of  pledge,  to  all  who  heard 
it,  that  no  undue  scruples  should  defeat  the  hilarity 
of  the  moment  But  when  Gertrude,  flushed  with 
the  excitement  of  the  scene  through  which  she  had 
just  passed,  and  beaming  with  a  loveliness  that  de 
rived  so  much  of  its  character  from  its  innocence,  ap 
peared  on  his  deck,  the  veteran  rubbed  his  eyes  in 
an  amazement  which  could  not  have  been  greatly 
surpassed,  had  one  of  that  species  of  beings  the  Ro 
ver  had  named  actually  fallen  at  his  feet  from  the 
skies, 

"  The  heartless  scoundrel !"  cried  the  worthy  tar, 
1  to  lead  astray  one  so  young  and  so  lovely  !  Ha  !  as 
\  live,  my  own  lieutenant !  How's  this,  Mr  Ark !  have 
we  fallen  on  the  days  of  miracles  ?" 

An  exclamation,  which  came  deep  from  the  heart 
of  the  governess,  and  a  low  and  mournful  echo  from 


468  THE    RED    ROVER. 

the  lips  of  the  divine,  interrupted  the  further  expres 
sion  of  his  indignation  and  his  wonder. 

"  Captain  Bignall,"  observed  the  former,  pointing 
to  the  tottering  form  which  was  leaning  on  Wilder 
for  support,  "  on  my  life,  you  are  mistaken  in  the 
character  of  this  lady.  It  is  more  than  twenty  years 
since  we  last  met,  but  I  pledge  my  own  character  for 
the  purity  and  truth  of  hers." 

"  Lead  me  to  the  cabin,"  murmured  Mrs  Wyllys. 
"  Gertrude,  my  love,  where  are  we  ?  Lead  me  to 
some  secret  place." 

Her  request  was  complied  with  ;  the  whole  groupe 
retiring  in  a  body  from  before  the  sight  of  the  specta 
tors  who  thronged  the  deck.  Here  the  deeply  agi 
tated  governess  regained  a  portion  of  her  self-com 
mand,  and  then  her  wandering  gaze  sought  the  meek, 
concerned  countenance  of  the  chaplain. 

"  This  is  a  tardy  and  heart-rending  meeting,"  she 
said,  pressing  the  hand  he  gave  her  to  her  lips. 
"  Gertrude,  in  this  gentleman  you  see  the  divine  that 
united  me  to  the  man  who  once  formed  the  pride 
and  happiness  of  my  existence." 

"  Mourn  not  his  loss,"  whispered  the  reverend 
priest,  bending  over  her  chair,  with  the  interest  of  a 
parent.  "  He  was  taken  from  you  at  an  early  hour ; 
but  he  died  as  all  who  loved  him  might  have  wished. 

"  And  none  was  left  to  bear,  in  remembrance  of 
his  qualities,  his  proud  name  to  posterity  !  Tell  me, 
good  Merton,  is  not  the  hand  of  Providence  visible 
in  this  dispensation?  Ought  I  not  to  humble  myself 
before  it,  as  a  just  punishment  of  my  disobedience 
to  an  affectionate,  though  too  obdurate,  parent  ?" 

"  None  may  presume  to  pry  into  the  mysteries  of 
the  righteous  government  that  orders  all  things. 
Enough  for  us.  that  we  learn  to  submit  to  the  will  of 
Him  who  rules,  without  questioning  his  justice." 

"  But,"  continued  the  governess,  in  tones  so  husky 
>e  to  betray  how  powerfully  she  felt  the  temptation 


THE    RED    ROVEH.  469 

to  forget  his  admonition,  "  would  not  one  life  have 
sufficed?  was  I  to  be  deprived  of  all?" 

"  Madam,  reflect !  What  has  been  done  was  done 
in  wisdom,  as  I  trust  it  was  in  mercy." 

"  You  say  truly.  I  will  forget  all  of  the  sad  events, 
but  their  application  to  myself.  And  you,  worthy 
and  benevolent  Merton,  where  and  how  have  been 
passed  your  days,  since  the  time  of  which  we  speak?" 

"  I  am  but  a  low  and  humble  shepherd  of  a  truant 
flock,"  returned  the  meek  chaplain,  with  a  sigh. 
"  Many  distant  seas  have  I  visited,  and  many  strange 
faces,  and  stranger  natures,  has  it  been  my  lot  to  en 
counter  in  my  pilgrimage.  I  am  but  lately  returned, 
from  the  east,  into  the  hemisphere  where  I  first  drew 
breath ;  and,  by  permission  of  our  superiors,  I  came 
to  pass  a  month  in  the  vessel  of  a  companion,  whose 
friendship  bears  even  an  older  date  than  our  own." 

"  Ay,  ay,  Madam,"  returned  the  worthy  Bignall, 
whose  feelings  had  been  not  a  little  disturbed  by  the 
previous  scene;  "it  is  near  half  a  century  since  the 
Parson  and  I  were  boys  together,  and  we  have  been 
rubbing  up  old  recollections  on  the  cruise.  Happy 
am  I  that  a  lady  of  so  commendable  qualities  has 
come  to  make  one  of  our  party." 

"  In  this  lady  you  see  the  daughter  of  the  late 
Captain ,  and  the  relict  of  the  son  of  our  an 
cient  Commander,  Rear-Admiral  de  Lacey,"  hastily 
resumed  the  divine,  as  though  he  knew  the  well- 
meaning  honesty  of  his  friend  was  more  to  be  trusted 
than  his  discretion. 

"  1  knew  them  both ;  and  brave  men  and  thorough 
seamen  were  the  pair !  The  lady  was  welcome  as 
your  friend,  Merton ;  but  she  is  doubly  so,  as  the 
widow  and  child  of  the  gentlemen  you  name." 

"  De  Lacey !"  murmured  an  agitated  voice  in  the 
ear  of  the  governess. 

*  The  law  gives  me  a  title  to  bear  that  name," 
2R 


470  THE   RED   ROVER, 

returned  she  whom  we  shall  still  continue  to  call  by 
her  assumed  appellation,  folding  her  weeping  pupil 
long  and  affectionately  to  her  bosom.  "  The  veil  is 
unexpectedly  withdrawn,  my  love,  nor  shall  conceal 
ment  be  longer  affected.  My  father  was  the  Captain 
of  the  flag-ship*  Necessity  compelled  him  to  leave 
me  more  in  the  society  of  your  young  relative  than 
he  would  have  done,  could  he  have  foreseen  the 
consequences.  But  I  knew  both  his  pride  and  hia 
poverty  too  well,  to  dare  to  make  him  arbiter  of  my 
fate,  after  the  alternative  became,  to  my  inexpe 
rienced  imagination  worse  than  even  his  anger.  We 
were  privately  united  by  this  gentleman,  and  neither 
of  our  parents  knew  of  the  connexion.  Death" — 

The  voice  of  the  widow  became  choaked,  and 
she  made  a  sign  to  the  chaplain,  as  if  she  would  have 
him  continue  the  tale. 

"  Mr  de  Lacey  and  his  father-in-law  fell  in  the  same 
battle,  within  a  short  month  of  the  ceremony,"  add 
ed  the  subdued  voice  of  Merton.  "  Even  you,  dear 
est  Madam,  never  knew  the  melancholy  particulars 
of  their  end.  I  was  a  solitary  witness  of  their  deaths 
for  to  me  were  they  both  consigned,  amid  the  confu 
sion  of  the  battle.  Their  blood  was  mingled ;  and 
your  parent,  in  blessing  the  young  hero,  unconscious 
ly  blessed  his  son." 

"Oh!  I  deceived  his  noble  nature,  and  dearly 
have  I  paid  the  penalty !"  exclaimed  the  self-abased 
widow.  "  Tell  me,  Merton,  did  he  ever  know  of 
my  marriage  ?" 

"  He  did  not.  Mr  de  Lacey  died  first,  and  upon 
his  bosom,  for  he  loved  him  ever  as  a  child;  but 
other  thoughts  than  useless  explanations  were  then 
uppermost  in  their  minds." 

"  Gertrude,"  said  the  governess,  in  hollow,  repent 
ant  tones,  "  there  is  no  peace  for  our  feeble  sex  bui 
in  submission;  no  happiness  but  in  obedience." 


THE   RED   ROVER.  471 

ult  is  over  now,"  whispered  the  weeping  girl; 
lall  over,  and  forgotten.  I  am  your  child — your 
own  Gertrude — the  creature  of  your  formation." 

"  Harry  Ark !"  exclaimed  Bignall,  clearing  his 
throat  with  a  hem  so  vigorous  as  to  carry  the  sound 
to  the  outer  deck,  seizing  the  arm  of  his  entranced 
lieutenant,  and  dragging  him  from  the  scene  while  he 
spoke.  "  What  the  devil  besets  the  boy !  You  for 
get  that,  all  this  time,  I  am  as  ignorant  of  your  Own 
adventures  as  is  his  Majesty's  prime  minister  of  nav 
igation.  Why  do  I  see  you,  here,  a  visiter  from  a 
royal  cruiser,  when  I  thought  you  were  playing  the 
mock  pirate?  and  how  came  that  harum-scarum  twig 
of  nobility  in  possession  of  so  goodly  a  company,  as 
well  as  of  so  brave  a  ship  ?" 

Wilder  drew  a  long  and  deep  breath,  like  one  that 
awakes  from  a  pleasing  dream,  reluctantly  suffering 
himself  to  be  forced  from  a  spot  where  he  fondly 
felt  that  he  could  have  continued,  without  weariness, 
for  ever. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

"  Let  them  achieve  me,  and  then  sell  my  bones." — Henry  V. 

THE  Commander  of  the  "  Dart,"  and  his  bewil 
dered  lieutenant,  had  gained  the  quarter-deck  before 
either  spoke  again.  The  direction  first  taken  by  the 
eyes  of  the  latter  was  in  quest  of  the  neighbouring 
ship;  nor  was  the  look  entirely  without  that  unset 
tled  and  vague  expression  which  seems  to  announce 
a  momentary  aberration  of  the  faculties.  But  the 
vessel  of  the  Rover  was  in  view,  in  all  the  palpable 
and  beautiful  proportions  of  her  admirable  construc 
tion.  Instead  of  lying  in  a  state  of  rest,  as  when  he 
left  her,  her  head-yards  had  been  swung,  and,  as  the 
sails  filled  with  the  breeze,  the  stately  fabric  had  be 


472  THE    RED    ROVER. 

gun  to  move  gracefully,  though  with  no  great  veloci- 
ty,  along  the  water.  There  was  not  the  slightest  ap 
pearance,  however,  of  any  attempt  at  escape  in  the 
evolution.  On  the  contrary,  the  loftier  and  lighter  sails 
had  all  been  furled,  and  men  were  at  the  moment 
actively  employed  in  sending  to  the  deck  those  small 
er  spars  which  were  absolutely  requisite  in  spreading 
the  canvas  that  would  be  needed  in  facilitating  her 
flight.  Wilder  turned  from  the  sight  with  a  sickening 
apprehension  ;  for  he  well  knew  that  these  were  the 
preparations  that  skilful  mariners  are  wont  to  make, 
when  bent  on  desperate  combat. 

"  Ay,  yonder  goes  your  St.  James's  seaman,  with 
his  three  topsails  full,  and  his  mizzen  out,  as  if  he 
had  already  forgotten  he  is  to  dine  with  me,  and  that 
his  name  is  to  be  found  at  one  end  of  the  list  of  Com 
manders,  and  mine  at  the  other,"  grumbled  the  dis 
pleased  Bignall.  "  But  we  shall  have  him  coming 
round  all  in  good  time,  I  suppose,  when  his  appetite 
tells  him  the  dinner  hour.  He  might  wear  his  colours 
in  presence  of  a  senior,  too,  and  no  disgrace  to  his 
nobility.  By  the  Lord,  Harry  Ark,  he  handles  those 
yards  beautifully !  I  warrant  you,  now,  some  honest 
man's  son  is  sent  aboard  his  ship  for  a  dry  nurse,  in 
the  shape  of  a  first  lieutenant,  and  we  shall  have  him 
vapouring,  all  dinner  time,  about  '  how  my  ship  does 
this,'  and"4 1  never  suffer  that.'  Ha  !  is  it  not  so,  sir? 
He  has  a  thorough  seaman  for  his  First  ?" 

"  Few  men  understand  the  profession  better  than 
does  the  Captain  of  yonder  vessel  himself,"  returned 
Wilder. 

"  The  devil  he  does  !  You  have  been  talking  with 
him,  Mr  Ark,  about  these  matters,  and  he  has  got 
some  of  the  fashions  of  the  l  Dart.'  I  see  into  a  mys 
tery  as  quick  as  another !" 

"  I  do  assure  you,  Captain  Bignall,  there   is  no 
safety  in  confiding  in  the  ignorance  of  yonder  extra 
ordinary  man." 


THE    RED    ROVER.  473 

*  Ay,  ay,  1  begin  to  overhaul  his  charactei  The 
young  dog  is  a  quiz,  and  has  been  amusing  himself 
with  a  sailor  of  what  he  calls  the  old  school.  Am  1 
right,  sir?  He  has  seen  salt  water  before  this  cruise?'* 

"  He  is  almost  a  native  of  the  seas ;  for  more  than 
thirty  years  has  he  passed  his  time  on  them." 

"  There,  Harry  Ark,  he  has  done  you  handsomely. 
Now,  I  have  his  own  assertion  for  it,  that  he  will  not 
be  three-and-twenty  until  to-morrow." 

"  On  my  word,  he  has  deceived  you,  sir." 

"  I  don't  know,  Mr  Ark ;  that  is  a  task  much  easier 
attempted  than  performed.  Threescore  and  four 
years  add  as  much  weight  to  a  man's  head  as  to  his 
heels !  I  may  have  undervalued  the  skill  of  the  youn- 
ker,  but,  as  to  his  years,  there  can  be  no  great  mis 
take.  But  where  the  devil  is  the  fellow  steering  to? 
Has  he  need  of  a  pinafore  from  his  lady  mother  to 
come  on  board  of  a  man-of-war  for  his  dinner  ?" 

"  See  !  he  is  indeed  standing  from  us  !"  exclaimed 
Wilder,  with  a  rapidity  and  delight  that  would  have 
excited  the  suspicions  of  one  more  observant  than  his 
Commander. 

"  If  1  know  the  stern  from  the  bows  of  a  ship, 
what  you  say  is  truth,"  returned  the  other,  with  some 
austerity.  "  Hark  ye,  Mr  Ark,  I've  a  mind  to  fur 
nish  the  coxcomb  a  lesson  in  respect  for  his  superi 
ors,  and  give  him  a  row  to  whet  his  appetite.  By 
the  Lord,  I  will ;  and  he  may  write  home  an  account 
of  this  manoeuvre,  too,  in  his  next  despatches.  Fill 
away  the  after-yards,  sir;  fill  away.  Since  this  hon 
ourable  youth  is  disposed  to  amuse  himself  with  a 
sailing-match,  he  can  take  no  offence  that  others  are 
in  the  same  humour." 

The  lieutenant  of  the  watch,  to  whom  the  order 
was  addressed,  complied ;  and,  in  another  minute, 
the  "  Dart"  was  also  beginning  to  move  a-head,  though 
in  a  direction  directly  opposite  to  that  taken  by  the 
*  Dolphin."  The  old  man  highly  enjoyed  his  own 
2R2 


474  THE    RED    ROVER. 

decision,  manifesting  his  self-satisfaction  by  the  infi 
nite  glee  and  deep  chuckling  of  his  manner.  He 
was  too  much  occupied  with  the  step  he  had  just  ta 
ken,  to  revert  immediately  to  the  subject  that  had  so 
recently  been  uppermost  in  his  mind  ;  nor  did  the 
thought  of  pursuing  the  discourse  occur  to  him,  until 
the  two  ships  had  left  a  broad  field  of  water  between 
them,  as  each  moved,  with  ease  and  steadiness,  on  its 
proper  course. 

"  Let  him  note  that  in  his  log-book,  Mr  Ark,"  the 
irritable  old  seaman  then  resumed,  returning  to  the 
spot  which  Wilder  had  not  left  during  the  interven 
ing  time.  "  Though  my  cook  has  no  great  relish  for 
a  frog,  they  who  would  taste  of  his  skill  must  seek 
him.  By  the  Lord,  boy,  he  will  have  a  pull  of  it,  if 
he  undertake  to  come-to  on  that  tack. — But  how 
happens  it  that  you  got  into  his  ship  ?  All  that  part 
of  the  cruise  remains  untold." 

"  I  have  been  wrecked,  sir,  since  you  received  my 
last  letter." 

"  What !  has  Davy  Jones  got  possession  of  the  red 
gentleman  at  last  ?" 

"  The  misfortune  occurred  in  a  ship  from  Bristol, 
aboard  which  I  was  placed  as  a  sort  of  prize-master. 
— He  certainly  continues  to  stand  slowly  to  the  north 
ward  !" 

"  Let  the  young  coxcomb  go  !  he  will  have  all  the 
better  appetite  for  his  supper.  And  so  you  were 
picked  up  by  his  Majesty's  ship  the  *  Antelope.1 
Ay,  I  see  into  the  whole  affair.  You  have  only  to 
give  an  old  sea-dog  his  course  and  compass,  and  he 
will  find  his  way  to  port  in  the  darkest  night.  But 
how  happened  it  that  this  Mr  Howard  affected  to  be 
ignorant  of  your  name,  sir,  when  he  saw  it  on  the 
list  of  my  officers  ?" 

"  Ignorant!  Did  he  seem  ignorant?  perhaps" — 

"  Say  no  more,  my  brave  fellow,  say  no  more,"  in- 
terrupted  Wilder's  considerate  but  choleric  Com- 


THE   RED   ROVER.  475 

mander.  "  I  nave  met  with  such  rebuffs  myself;  but 
we  are  above  them,  sir,  far  above  them  and  their  im 
pertinences  together.  No  man  need  be  ashamed  of 
having  earned  his  commission,  as  you  and  1  have 
done,  in  fair  weather  and  in  foul.  Zounds,  boy,  I 
have  fed  one  of  the  upstarts  for  a  week,  and  then  had 
him  stare  at  a  church  across  the  way,  when  I  have 
fallen  in  with  him  in  the  streets  of  London,  in  a  fash 
ion  that  might  make  a  simple  man  believe  the  puppy 
knew  for  what  it  had  been  built.  Think  no  more 
of  it,  Harry ;  worse  things  have  happened  to  myself, 
I  do  assure  you." 

"  I  went  by  my  assumed  name  while  in  yonder 
ship,"  Wilder  forced  himself  to  add.  "  Even  the  la 
dies,  who  were  the  companions  of  my  wreck,  know 
me  by  no  other." 

"  Ah  !  that  was  prudent ;  and,  after  all,  the  young 
sprig  was  not  pretending  genteel  ignorance.     How 
now,  master  Fid ;  you    are  welcome  back   to  the 
Dart.' " 

"  I've  taken  the  liberty  to  say  as  much  already  to 
myself,  your  Honour,"  resumed  the  topman,  who 
was  busying  himself,  near  his  two  officers,  in  a  man 
ner  that  seemed  to  invite  their  attention.  "  A  whole 
some  craft  is  yonder,  and  boldly  is  she  commanded, 
and  stoutly  is  she  manned ;  but,  for  my  part,  having 
a  character  to  lose,  it  is  moie  to  my  taste  to  sail  in  a 
ship  that  can  shew  her  commission,  when  properly 
called  on  for  the  same." 

The  colour  on  Wilder's  cheeks  went  and  came 
like  the  flushings  of  the  evening  sky,  and  his 
eyes  were  turned  in  every  direction  but  that  which 
would  have  encountered  the  astonished  gaze  of  his 
veteran  friend. 

"  I  am  not  quite  sure  that  I  understand  the  mean 
ing  of  the  lad,  Mr  Ark.  Every  officer,  from  the  Cap 
tain  to  the  boatswain,  in  the  King's  fleet,  that  is,  ev 
ery  man  of  common  discretion,  carries  his  authority 


476  THE   RED   ROVER. 

to  act  as  such  with  him  to  sea,  or  he  might  find  him 
self  in  a  situation  as  awkward  as  that  of  a  pirate." 

"  That  is  just  what  I  said,  sir ;  but  schooling  and 
long  use  have  given  your  Honour  a  better  outfit  in 
words.  Guinea  and  I  have  often  talked  the  matter 
over  together,  and  serious  thoughts  has  it  given  to  us 
both,  more  than  once,  Captain  Bignall.  *  Suppose/ 
says  I  to  the  black,  l  suppose  one  of  his  Majesty's 
boats  should  happen  to  fall  in  with  this  here  craft, 
and  we  should  come  to  loggerheads  and  matches,' 
says  I,  '  what  would  the  like  of  us  two  do  in  such  a 
god-send  V — 4  Why,'  says  the  black, 4  we  would  stand 
to  our  guns  on  the  side  of  master  Harry,'  says  he ; 
nor  did  I  gainsay  the  same ;  but,  saving  his  presence 
and  your  Honour's,  I  just  took  the  liberty  to  add, 
that,  in  my  poor  opinion,  it  would  be  much  more 
comfortable  to  be  killed  in  an  honest  ship  than  on  the 
deck  of  a  buccaneer." 

"  A  buccaneer !"  exclaimed  his  Commander,  with 
eyes  distended,  and  an  open  mouth. 

"  Captain  Bignall,"  said  Wilder,  "  I  may  have 
offended  past  forgiveness,  in  remaining  so  long  silent; 
but,  when  you  hear  my  tale,  there  may  be  found  some 
passages  that  shall  plead  my  apology.  The  vessel 
in  sight  is  the  ship  of  the  renowned  Red  Rover — nay 
listen,  I  conjure  you  by  all  that  kindness  you  have  so 
long  shewn  me,  and  then  censure  as  you  will." 

The  words  of  Wilder,  aided  as  they  were  by  an 
earnest  and  manly  manner,  laid  a  restraint  on  the 
mounting  indignation  of  the  choleric  old  seaman.  He 
listened  gravely  and  intently  to  the  rapid  but  clear 
tale  which  his  lieutenant  hastened  to  recount ;  and, 
ere  the  latter  had  done,  he  had  more  than  half  en 
tered  into  those  grateful,  and  certainly  generous,  feel 
ings  which  had  made  the  youth  so  reluctant  to  be 
tray  the  obnoxious  character  of  a  man  who  had  dealt 
so  liberally  by  himself.  A  few  strong,  and  what 
might  be  termed  professional,  exclamations  of  sur 


THE    RED    ROVER.  477 

prise  and  admiration,  occasionally  interrupted  the 
narrative ;  but,  on  the  whole,  he  curbed  his  impa 
tience  and  his  feelings,  in  a  manner  that  was  suffi 
ciently  remarkable,  when  the  temperament  of  the  in 
dividual  is  duly  considered. 

';  This  is  wonderful  indeed  !"  he  exclaimed,  as  the 
other  ended ;  "  and  a  thousand  pities  is  it  that  so 
honest  a  fellow  should  be  so  arrant  a  knave.  But, 
Harry,  we  can  never  let  him  go  at  large  after  all , 
our  loyalty  and  our  religion  forbid  it.  We  must  tack 
ship,  and  stand  after  him ;  if  fair  words  won't  bring 
him  to  reason,  I  see  no  other  remedy  than  blows." 

"  I  fear  it  is  no  more  than  our  duty,  sir,"  returned 
the  young  man,  with  a  deep  sigh. 

"  It  is  a  matter  of  religion. — And  then  the  prating 
puppy,  that  he  sent  on  board  me,  is  no  Captain,  after 
all !  Still  it  was  impossible  to  deceive  me  as  to  the 
air  and  manner  of  a  gentleman.  I  warrant  me,  some 
young  reprobate  of  a  good  family,  or  he  would  never 
have  acted  the  sprig  so  well.  We  must  try  to  keep 
his  name  a  secret,  Mr  Ark,  in  order  that  no  discredit 
should  fall  upon  his  friends.  Our  aristocratic  columns, 
though  they  get  a  little  cracked  and  defaced,  are,  af 
ter  all,  the  pillars  of  the  throne,  and  it  does  not  be 
come  us  to  let  vulgar  eyes  look  too  closely  into  their 
unsoundness." 

"  The  individual  who  visited  the  4  Dart'  was  the 
Rover  himself." 

"  Ha !  the  Red  Rover  in  my  ship,  nay,  in  my  very 
presence !"  exclaimed  the  old  tar,  in  a  species  of 
honest  horror.  "  You  are  now  pleased,  sir,  to  trifle 
with  my  good  nature." 

"  I  should  forget  a  thousand  obligations,  ere  I  could 
be  so  bold.  On  my  solemn  asseveration,  sir,  it  was 
no  other." 

"  This  is  unaccountable  !  extraordinary  to  a  mira 
cle  !  His  disguise  was  very  complete,  T  will  confess, 


478  THE    RED    ROVER. 

to  deceive  one  so  well  skilled  in  the  human  counte 
nance.  I  saw  nothing,  sir,  of  his  shaggy  whiskers 
heard  nothing  of  his  brutal  voice,  nor  perceived  any 
of  those  monstrous  deformities  which  are  universally 
acknowledged  to  distinguish  the  man." 

"  All  of  which  are  no  more  than  the  embellish 
ments  of  vulgar  rumour.  I  fear  me,  sir,  that  the 
boldest  and  most  dangerous  of  all  our  vices  are  often 
found  under  the  most  pleasing  exteriors." 

"  But  this  is  not  even  a  man  of  inches,  sir." 

"  His  body  is  not  large,  but  it  contains  the  spirit 
of  a  giant." 

"  And  do  you  believe  yonder  ship,  Mr  Ark,  to  be 
the  vessel  that  fought  us  in  the  equinox  of  March?" 

"  I  know  it  to  be  no  other." 

"  Hark  ye,  Harry,  for  your  sake,  1  will  deal  gener 
ously  by  the  rogue.  He  once  escaped  me,  by  the 
loss  of  a  topmast,  and  stress  of  weather;  but  we 
have  here  a  good  working  breeze,  that  a  man  may 
safely  count  on,  and  a  fine  regular  sea.  He  is  there 
fore  mine,  so  soon  as  I  choose  to  make  him  so ; — for 
I  do  not  think  he  has  any  serious  intention  to  run." 

"  I  fear  not,"  returned  Wilder,  unconsciously  be 
traying  his  wishes  in  the  words. 

"  Fight  he  cannot,  with  any  hopes  of  success ; 
and,  as  he  seems  to  be  altogether  a  different  sort  of 
personage  from  what  I  had  supposed,  we  will  try  the 
merits  of  negotiation.  Will  you  undertake  to  be  the 
bearer  of  my  propositions  ? — or,  perhaps,  he  might 
repent  of  his  moderation." 

"  I  pledge  myself  for  his  faith,"  eagerly  exclaimed 
Wilder  "  Let  a  gun  be  fired  to  leeward.  Mind,  sir, 
all  the  tokens  must  be  amicable — a  flag  of  truce  set 
out  at  our  main,  and  I  will  risk  every  hazard  to  lead 
him  back  into  the  bosom  of  society." 

"  By  George,  it  would  at  least  be  acting  a  Chris 
tian  parV  returned  the  Commander,  after  a  mo- 


THE    RED    ROVER.  479 

ment's  thought ;  "  and,  though  we  miss  knighthood 
below,  lad,  for  our  success,  there  will  be  better  births 
cleared  for  us  aloft." 

No  sooner  had  the  warm-hearted,  and  perhaps  a 
little  visionary,  Captain  of  the  "  Dart,"  and  his  lieu 
tenant,  determined  on  this  measure,  than  they  both 
set  eagerly  about  the  means  of  insuring  its  success. 
The  helm  of  the  ship  was  put  a-lee ;  and,  as  her  head 
came  sweeping  up  into  the  wind,  a  sheet  of  flame 
flashed  from  her  leeward  bow-port,  sending  the  cus 
tomary  amicable  intimation  across  the  water,  that 
those  who  governed  her  movements  would  commu 
nicate  with  the  possessors  of  the  vessel  in  sight.  At 
the  same  instant,  a  small  flag,  with  a  spotless  field 
was  seen  floating  at  the  topmost  elevation  of  all  her 
spars,  whilst  the  flag  of  England  was  lowered  from 
the  gaff'.  A  half  minute  of  deep  inquietude  succeed 
ed  these  signals,  in  the  bosoms  of  those  who  had  or 
dered  them  to  be  made.  Their  suspense  was  how 
ever  speedily  terminated.  A  cloud  of  smoke  drove 
before  the  wind  from  the  vessel  of  the  Rover,  and 
then  the  smothered  explosion  of  the  answering  gun 
came  dull  upon  their  ears.  A  flag,  similar  to  their 
own,  was  seen  floating,  as  it  might  be,  like  a  dove 
fanning  its  wings,  far  above  her  tops  ;  but  no  emblem 
of  any  sort  was  borne  at  the  spar,  where  the  colours 
which  distinguish  the  national  character  of  a  cruiser 
are  usually  seen. 

"  The  fellow  has  the  modesty  to  carry  a  naked 
gaff  in  our  presence,"  said  Bignall,  pointing  out  the 
circumstance  to  his  companion,  as  an  augury  favour 
able  to  their  success.  "  We  will  stand  for  him  until 
within  a  reasonable  distance,  and  then  you  shall  take 
to  the  boat." 

In  conformity  with  this  determination,  the  "  Dart" 
was  brought  on  the  other  tack,  and  several  sails  were 
set,  in  order  to  quicken  her  speed.  When  at  the 
distance  of  half  cannon  shot,  Wilder  suggested  to  his 


480  THE    RED    ROVER. 

superior  the  propriety  of  arresting  their  further  pro 
gress,  in  order  to  avoid  the  appearance  of  hostilities. 
The  boat  was  immediately  lowered  into  the  sea,  and 
manned ;  a  flag  of  truce  set  in  her  bows ;  and  the 
whole  was  reported  ready  to  receive  the  bearer  of 
the  message. 

"  You  may  hand  him  this  statement  of  our  force, 
Mr  Ark ;  for,  as  he  is  a  reasonable  man,  he  will  see 
the  advantage  it  gives  us,"  said  the  Captain,  after 
having  exhausted  his  manifold  and  often  repeated  in 
structions.  "  I  think  you  may  promise  him  indem 
nity  for  the  past,  provided  he  comply  with  all  my 
conditions  ;  at  all  events,  you  will  say  that  no  influ 
ence  shall  be  spared  to  get  a  complete  whitewashing 
for  himself  at  least.  God  bless  you,  boy !  Take  care 
to  say  nothing  of  the  damages  we  received  in  the 

affair  of  March  last ;  for ay — for  the  equinox 

was  blowing  heavy  at  the  time,  you  know.  Adieu  ! 
and  success  attend  you !" 

The  boat  shoved  off  from  the  side  of  the  vessel  as 
he  ended,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  listening  Wilder 
was  borne  far  beyond  the  sound  of  any  further  words 
of  advisement.  Our  adventurer  had  sufficient  time 
to  reflect  on  the  extraordinary  situation  in  which  he 
now  found  himself,  during  the  row  to  the  still  distant 
ship.  Once  or  twice,  slight  and  uneasy  glimmerings 
of  distrust,  concerning  the  prudence  of  the  step  he 
was  taking,  beset  his  mind ;  though  a  recollection  ot 
the  lofty  feeling  of  the  man  in  whom  he  confided 
ever  presented  itself  in  sufficient  season  to  prevent 
the  apprehension  from  gaining  any  undue  ascendency. 
Notwithstanding  the  delicacy  of  his  situation,  that 
characteristic  interest  in  his  profession,  which  is  rare 
ly  dormant  in  the  bosom  of  a  thorough-bred  seaman, 
was  strongly  stimulated  as  he  approached  the  vessel 
of  the  Rover.  The  perfect  symmetry  of  her  spars 
the  graceful  heavings  and  settings  of  the  whole  fabric 
as  it  rode,  like  a  marine  bird,  on  the  long,  regular 


THE    RED    ROVER. 

swells  of  the  trades,  and  the  graceful  inclinations  of 
the  tapering  masts,  as  they  waved  across  the  blue 
canopy,  which  was  interlaced  by  all  the  tracery  of 
her  complicated  tackle,  was  not  lost  on  an  eye  that 
knew  no  less  how  to  prize  the  order  of  the  whole 
than  to  admire  the  beauty  of  the  object  itself.  There 
is  a  high  and  exquisite  taste,  which  the  seaman  at 
tains  in  the  study  of  a  machine  that  all  have  united 
to  commend,  which  may  be  likened  to  the  sensibili 
ties  that  the  artist  acquires  by  close  and  long  con 
templation  of  the  noblest  monuments  of  antiquity. 
it  teaches  him  to  detect  those  imperfections  which 
would  escape  any  less  instructed  eye  ;  and  it  height 
ens  the  pleasure  with  which  a  ship  at  sea  is  gazed 
at,  by  enabling  the  mind  to  keep  even  pace  with  the 
enjoyment  of  the  senses.  It  is  this  powerful  (and 
to  a  landsman  incomprehensible)  charm  that  forms 
the  secret  tie  which  binds  the  mariner  so  closely  to 
his  vessel,  and  which  often  leads  him  to  prize  her 
qualities  as  one  would  esteem  the  virtues  of  a  friend, 
and  almost  to  be  equally  enamoured  of  the  fair  pro 
portions  of  his  ship  and  of  those  of  his  mistress. 
Other  men  may  have  their  different  inanimate  sub 
jects  of  admiration;  but  none  of  their  feelings  so 
thoroughly  enter  into  the  composition  of  the  being 
as  the  affection  which  the  mariner  comes,  in  time,  to 
feel  for  his  vessel.  It  is  his  home,  his  theme  of  con 
stant  and  frequently  of  painful  interest,  his  taberna 
cle,  and  often  his  source  of  pride  and  exultation.  As 
she  gratifies  or  disappoints  his  high-wrought  expecta 
tions,  in  her  speed  or  in  the  fight,  mid  shoals  and 
hurricanes,  a  character  for  good  or  luckless  qualities 
is  earned,  which  are  as  often  in  reality  due  to  the 
skill  or  ignorance  of  those  who  guide  her,  as  to  any 
inherent  properties  of  the  fabric.  Still  does  the  ship 
itself,  in  the  eyes  of  the  seaman,  bear  away  the  lau- 
rel  of  success,  or  suffer  the  ignominy  of  defeat  and 
misfortune ;  and,  when  the  reverse  arrives,  the  result 
2S 


482  THE    RED    ROVER. 

fs  merely  regarded  as  some  extraordinary  departure 
from  the  ordinary  character  of  the  vessel,  as  if  the 
construction  possessed  the  powers  of  entire  self-com 
mand  and  perfect  volition. 

Though  not  so  deeply  imbued  with  that  species  of 
superstitious  credulity,  on  this  subject,  as  the  inferi 
ors  of  his  profession,  Wilder  was  keenly  awake  to 
most  of  the  sensibilities  of  a  mariner.  So  strongly, 
indeed,  was  he  alive  to  this  feeling,  on  the  present 
occasion,  that  for  a  moment  he  forgot  the  critical  na 
ture  of  his  errand,  as  he  drew  within  plainer  view 
of  a  vessel  that,  with  justice,  might  lay  claim  to  be 
a  jewel  of  the  ocean. 

"  Lay  on  your  oars,  lads,"  he  said,  signing  to  his 
people  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  boat ;  "  lay  on  youi 
oars  !  Did  you  ever  see  masts  more  beautifully  in  line 
than  those,  master  Fid,  or  sails  that  had  a  fairer  fit  ?" 

The  topman,  who  rowed  the  stroke-oar  of  the  pin 
nace,  cast  a  look  over  his  shoulder,  and,  stowing  into 
one  of  his  cheeks  a  lump  that  resembled  a  wad  laid 
by  the  side  of  its  gun,  he  was  not  slow  to  answer, 
on  an  occasion  where  his  opinion  was  so  directly  de 
manded. 

"  I  care  not  who  knows  it,"  he  said,  "  for,  done 
by  honest  men  or  done  by  knaves,  I  told  the  people 
on  the  forecastle  of  the  l  Dart,'  in  the  first  five  min 
utes  after  1  got  among  them  again,  that  they  might 
be  at  Spithead  a  month,  and  not  see  hamper  so 
light,  and  yet  so  handy,  as  is  seen  aboard  that  flyer. 
Her  lower  rigging  is  harpened-in,like  the  waist  of  Nell 
Dale  after  she  has  had  a  fresh  pull  upon  her  stay-Ian 
yards,  and  there  isn't  a  block,  among  them  all,  that 
seems  bigger  in  its  place  than  do  the  eyes  of  the  girl 
in  her  own  good-looking  countenance.  That  bit  of  a 
set  that  you  see  to  her  fore-brace-block,  was  given  by 
the  hand  of  one  Richard  Fid ;  and  the  heart  on  her 
main-stay  was  turned-in  by  Guinea,  here  ;  and,  con 
sidering  he  is  a  nigger,  I  call  it  ship-shape." 


THE  RED  ROVER.  483 

u  She  is  beautiful  in  every  part !"  said  Wilder, 
drawing  a  long  breath.  "  Give  way,  my  men,  give 
way !  Do  you  think  I  have  come  here  to  take  the 
soundings  of  the  ocean  ?" 

The  crew  started  at  the  hurried  tones  of  their  lieu 
tenant,  and  in  another  minute  the  boat  was  at  the 
side  of  the  vessel.  The  stern  and  threatening  glan 
ces  that  Wilder  encountered,  as  his  foot  touched  the 
planks,  caused  him  to  pause  an  instant,  ere  he  ad 
vanced  further  amid  the  crew.  But  the  presence  of 
the  Rover  himself,  who  stood,  with  his  peculiar  air 
of  high  and  imposing  authority,  on  the  quarter-deck, 
encouraged  him  to  proceed,  after  permitting  a  delay 
that  was  too  slight  to  attract  attention.  His  lips  were 
in  the  act  of  parting,  when  a  sign  from  the  other  in 
duced  him  to  remain  silent,  until  they  were  both  in 
the  privacy  of  the  cabin. 

"  Suspicion  is  awake  among  my  people,  Mr  Ark," 
commenced  the  Rover,  when  they  were  thus  retired, 
laying  a  marked  and  significant  emphasis  on  the  name 
he  used.  "  Suspicion  is  stirring,  though,  as  yet,  they 
hardly  know  what  to  credit.  The  manoeuvres  of 
the  two  ships  have  not  been  such  as  they  are  wont  to 
see,  and  voices  are  not  wanting  to  whisper  in  their  ears 
matter  that  is  somewhat  injurious  to  your  interests. 
You  have  not  done  well,  sir,  in  returning  among  us.'1 

"  I  came  by  the  order  of  my  superior,  and  under 
tlje  sanction  of  a  flag." 

"  We  are  small  reasoners  in  the  legal  distinction 
of  the  world,  and  may  mistake  your  rights  in  so  no- 
vel  a  character.     But,"  he  immediately  added,  with 
dignity,  "  if  you  bear  a  message,  I  may  presume  it  is 
intended  for  my  ears." 

"  And  for  no  other.  We  are  not  alone,  Captain 
Heidegger." 

"  Heed  not  the  boy ;  he  is  deaf  at  my  will." 

"  I  could  wish  to  communicate  to  you  only  the 
offers  that  I  bear." 


484  THE    RID    ROVER. 

**  Thai  mast  is  not  more  senseless  than  Roderick." 
said  the  other  calmly,  but  with  decision. 

"  Then  must  1  speak  at  every  hazard. — The  Com 
mander  of  yon  ship,  who  bears  the  commission  of 
our  royal  master  George  the  Second,  has  ordered  me 
to  say  thus  much  for  your  consideration  :  On  condi 
tion  that  you  will  surrender  this  vessel,  with  all  her 
stoies,  armament,  and  warlike  munitions,  uninjured 
he  will  content  himself  with  taking  ten  hostages  from 
your  crew,  to  be  decided  by  lot,  yourself,  and  one 
other  of  your  officers,  and  either  to  receive  the  re 
mainder  into  the  service  of  the  King,  or  to  suffer 
them  to  disperse  in  pursuit  of  a  calling  more  credit 
able,  and,  as  it  would  now  appear,  more  safe." 

"  This  is  the  liberality  of  a  prince !  I  should  kneel 
and  kiss  the  deck  before  one  whose  lips  utter  such 
sounds  of  mercy !" 

"  I  repeat  but  the  words  of  my  superior,"  Wilder 
resumed.  "  For  yourself,  he  further  promises,  that 
his  interest  shall  be  exerted  to  procure  a  pardon,  on 
condition  that  you  quit  the  seas,  and  renounce  the 
name  of  Englishman  for  ever." 

"  The  latter  is  done  to  his  hands  :  But  may  I  know 
the  reason  that  such  lenity  is  shewn  to  one  whose 
name  has  been  so  long  proscribed  of  men  ?*" 

"  Captain  Bignall  has  heard  of  your  generous  treat 
ment  of  his  officer,  and  the  delicacy  that  the  daugh 
ter  and  widow  of  two  ancient  brethren  in  arms  have 
received  at  your  hands.  He  confesses  that  rumour 
has  not  done  entire  justice  to  your  character." 

A  mighty  effort  kept  down  the  gleam  of  exultation 
that  flashed  across  the  features  of  the  listener,  who, 
however,  succeeded  in  continuing  utterly  calm  and 
immovable. 

"  He  has  been  deceived,  sir" — he  coldly  resumed, 
as  though  he  would  encourage  the  other  to  proceed 

"  That  much  is  he  free  to  acknowledge.  A  repre 
sentation  of  this  common  error,  to  the  proper  authoi 


THE    RED    ROVER.  485 

ities,  will  have  weight  in  procuring  the  promised 
amnesty  for  the  past,  and,  as  he  hopes,  brighter  pros 
pects  for  the  future." 

"  And  does  he  urge  no  other  motive  than  his  plea 
sure,  why  I  should  make  this  violent  change  in  all 
my  habits,  why  I  should  renounce  an  element  that 
has  become  as  necessary  to  me  as  the  one  I  breathe 
and  why,  in  particular,  I  am  to  disclaim  the  vaunted 
privilege  of  calling  myself  a  Briton  ?" 

"  He  does.  This  statement  of  a  force,  which  you 
may  freely  examine  with  your  own  eyes,  if  so  dis 
posed,  must  convince  you  of  the  hopelessness  of  re 
sistance,  and  will,  he  thinks,  induce  you  to  accept 
his  offers." 

"  And  what  is  your  opinion  ?"  the  other  demanded, 
with  a  meaning  smile  and  peculiar  emphasis,  as  he 
extended  a  hand  to  receive  the  written  statement. 
"But  I  beg  pardon,"  he  hastily  added,  taking  the 
look  of  gravity  from  the  countenance  of  his  com 
panion.  "  I  trifle,  when  the  moment  requires  all  our 
seriousness." 

The  eye  of  the  Rover  ran  rapidly  over  the  paper, 
resting  itself,  once  or  twice,  with  a  slight  exhibition 
of  interest,  on  particular  points,  that  seemed  most  to 
merit  his  attention. 

"  You  find  the  superiority  such  as  I  had  already 
given  you  reason  to  believe  ?"  demanded  Wilder, 
when  the  look  of  the  other  wandered  from  the  paper. 

« I  do." 

"  And  may  I  now  ask  your  decision  on  the  offer?' 

"  First,  tell  me  what  does  your  own  heart  advise  ? 
This  is  but  the  language  of  another." 

"Captain  Heidegger,"  said  Wilder,  colouring,  "I 
will  not  attempt  to  conceal,  that,  had  this  message 
depended  solely  on  myself,  it  might  have  been  couch 
ed  in  different  terms ;  but  as  one,  who  still  deeply 
retains  the  recollection  of  your  generosity,  as  a  man 
who  would  not  willingly  induce  even  an  enemy  to  an 
182 


486  THE    RED    ROVER. 

act  of  dishonour,  do  1  urge  their  acceptance.  You 
will  excuse  me,  if  I  say,  that,  in  my  recent  inter 
course,  I  have  had  reason  to  believe  you  already  per 
ceive  that  neither  the  character  you  could  wish  to 
earn,  nor  the  content  that  all  men  crave,  is  to  be 
found  in  your  present  career." 

"  I  had  not  thought  I  entertained  so  close  a  casuist 
in  Mr  Henry  Wilder.  Have  you  more  to  urge,  sir?" 

"  Nothing,"  returned  the  disappointed  and  grieved 
messenger  of  the  "  Dart." 

"  Yes,  yes,  he  has,"  said  a  low  but  eager  voice  at 
the  elbow  of  the  Rover,  which  rather  seemed  to 
breathe  out  the  syllables  than  dare  to  utter  them 
aloud ;  "  he  has  not  yet  delivered  the  half  of  his 
commission,  or  sadly  has  he  forgotten  the  sacred 
trust!" 

"  The  boy  is  often  a  dreamer,"  interrupted  the 
Rover,  smiling,  with  a  wild  and  haggard  look.  "  He 
sometimes  gives  form  to  his  unmeaning  thoughts,  by 
clothing  them  in  words." 

"  My  thoughts  are  not  unmeaning,"  continued 
Roderick,  in  a  louder  and  far  bolder  strain.  "  If  his 
peace  or  happiness  be  dear  to  you,  do  not  yet  leave 
him.  Tell  him  of  his  high  and  honourable  name ; 
of  his  youth ;  of  that  gentle  and  virtuous  being  that 
he  once  so  fondly  loved,  and  whose  memory,  even 
now,  he  worships.  Speak  to  him  of  these,  as  you 
know  how  to  speak ;  and,  on  my  life,  his  ear  will 
not  be  deaf,  his  heart  cannot  be  callous  to  your 
words." 

"  The  urchin  is  mad !" 

"  I  am  not  mad ;  or,  if  maddened,  it  is  by  the 
crimes,  the  dangers,  of  those  I  love.  Oh!  Mr  Wil 
der,  do  not  leave  him.  Since  you  have  been  among 
us,  he  is  nearer  to  what  I  know  he  once  was,  than 
formerly.  Take  away  that  mistaken  statement  of 
your  force ;  threats  do  but  harden  him :  As  a  friend 
admonish ;  but  hope  for  nothing  as  a  minister  of  ven- 


THE  RED  ROVER.  487 

geance.  You  know  not  the  fearful  nature  of  the 
man,  or  you  would  not  attempt  to  stop  a  torrent. 
Now — now  speak  to  him ;  for,  see,  his  eye  is  already 
growing  kinder." 

"It  is  in  pity,  boy,  to  witness  how  thy  reason 
wavers/1 

"  Had  it  never  swerved  more  than  at  this  moment 
Walter,  another  need  not  be  called  upon  to  speak 
between  thee  and  me !  My  words  would  then  have 
been  regarded,  my  voice  would  then  have  been  loud 
enough  to  be  heard.  Why  are  you  dumb  ?  a  single 
happy  syllable  might  now  save  him." 

"  Wilder,  the  child  is  frightened  by  this  counting 
of  guns  and  numbering  of  people.  He  fears  the  an 
ger  of  your  anointed  master.  Go ;  give  him  place 
in  your  boat,  and  recommend  him  to  the  mercy  of 
your  superior." 

"Away,  away!"  cried  Roderick.  "I  shall  not, 
will  not,  cannot  leave  you.  Who  is  there  left  for  me 
in  this  world  but  you  ?" 

"  Yes,"  continued  the  Rbver,  whose  forced  calm 
ness  of  expression  had  changed  to  one  of  deep  and 
melancholy  musing;  "  it  will  indeed  be  better  thus. 
See,  here  is  much  gold ;  you  will  commend  him  to 
the  care  of  that  admirable  woman  who  already  watch 
es  one  scarcely  less  helpless,  though  possibly  less — " 

"  Guilty!  speak  the  word  boldly,  Walter.  I  have 
earned  the  epithet,  and  shall  not  shrink  to  hear  it 
spoken.  Look,"  he  said,  taking  the  ponderous  bag 
which  had  been  extended  towards  Wilder,  and  hold 
ing  it  high  above  his  head,  in  scorn,  u  this  can  I  cast 
from  me;  but  the  tie  which  binds  me  to  you  shall 
never  be  broken." 

As  he  spoke,  the  lad  approached  an  open  window 
of  the  cabin ;  a  plash  upon  the  water  was  heard, 
and  then  a  treasure,  that  might  have  furnished  a  com 
petence  to  moderate  wishes,  was  lost  for  ever  to  the 
uses  of  those  who  had  created  its  value.  The  lieu- 


488  THE    RED    ROVER. 

tenant  of  the  "  Dart"  turned  in  haste  to  deprecat* 
the  anger  of  the  Rover ;  but  his  eye  could  trace,  in 
the  features  of  the  lawless  chief,  no  other  emotion 
than  a  pity  which  was  discoverable  even  through  his 
calm  and  unmoved  smile. 

"  Roderick  would  make  but  a  faithless  treasurer,7 
he  said.  "  Still  it  is  not  too  late  to  restore  him  to  his 
friends.  The  loss  of  the  gold  can  be  repaired ;  but, 
should  any  serious  calamity  befall  the  boy,  I  might 
never  regain  a  perfect  peace  of  mind." 

"  Then  keep  him  near  yourself,"  murmured  the 
lad,  whose  vehemence  had  seemingly  expended  itself. 
"  Go,  Mr  Wilder,  go ;  your  boat  is  waiting ;  a  longer 
stay  will  be  without  an  object." 

"  I  fear  it  will !"  returned  our  adventurer,  who  had 
not  ceased,  during  the  previous  dialogue,  to  keep  his 
look  fastened,  in  manly  commiseration,  on  the  coun 
tenance  of  the  boy ;  u  I  greatly  fear  it  will ! — Since 
I  have  come  the  messenger  of  another,  Captain  Hei 
degger,  it  is  your  province  to  supply  a  fitting  answer 
to  my  proposition." 

The  Rover  took  him  by  the  arm,  and  led  him  to 
a  position  whence  they  might  look  upon  the  outer 
scene.  Then,  pointing  upward  at  his  spars,  and 
making  his  companion  observe  the  small  quantity  of 
sail  he  carried,  he  simply  said,  u  Sir,  you  are  a  sea 
man,  and  may  judge  of  my  intentions  by  this  sight. 
I  shall  neither  seek  nor  avoid  your  boasted  cruiser 
of  King  George." 


THE    RED    ROVER  489 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

"  Front  to  front, 

Bring  thou  this  fiend 

Within  my  sword's  length  set  him ;  if  he  'scape, 
Heaven  forgive  him  too !" — JWacbeth. 

"  You  have  brought  the  grateful  submission  of  the 
pirate  to  my  offers !"  exclaimed  the  sanguine  Com 
mander  of  the  "  Dart"  to  his  messenger,  as  the  foot 
of  the  latter  once  more  touched  his  deck. 

"  I  bring  nothing  but  defiance !"  was  the  unexpected 
reply. 

"  Did  you  exhibit  my  statement  ?  Surely,  Mr  Ark, 
so  material  a  document  was  not  forgotten!" 

"  Nothing  was  forgotten  that  the  warmest  interest 
in  his  safety  could  suggest,  Captain  Bignall.  Still  the 
chief  of  yonder  lawless  ship  refuses  to  hearken  to 
your  conditions." 

"  Perhaps,  sir,  he  imagines  that  the  '  Dart'  is  de 
fective  in  some  of  her  spars,"  returned  the  hasty  old 
seaman,  compressing  his  lips,  with  a  look  of  wounded 
pride;  "  he  may  hope  to  escape  by  pressing  the  can 
vas  on  his  own  light-heeled  ship." 

"Does  that  look  like  flight?"  demanded  Wilder, 
extending  an  arm  towards  the  nearly  naked  spars 
and  motionless  hull  of  their  neighbour.  "  The  utmost 
I  can  obtain  is  an  assurance  that  he  will  not  be  the 
assailant." 

"  'Fore  George,  he  is  a  merciful  youth !  and  one 
that  should  be  commended  for  his  moderation !  He 
will  not  run  his  disorderly,  picarooning  company 
under  the  guns  of  a  British  man-of-war,  because  he 
owes  a  little  reverence  to  the  flag  of  his  master  I 
Hark  ye,  Mr  Ark,  we  will  remember  the  circum 
stance  when  questioned  at  the  Old  Bailey.  Send  the 
people  to  their  guns,  sir,  and  ware  the  ship  round,  to 


490  THE    RED    ROVER. 

put  an  end  at  once  to  this  foolery,  or  we  shall  hare 
him  sending  a  boat  aboard  to  examine  our  com 
missions." 

"  Captain  Bignall,"  said  Wilder,  leading  his  Com 
mander  still  further  from  the  ears  of  their  inferiors, 
"  I  may  lay  some  little  claim  to  merit  for  services 
done  under  your  own  eyes,  and  in  obedience  to  your 
orders.  If  my  former  conduct  may  give  me  a  title  to 
presume  to  counsel  one  of  your  great  experience, 
suffer  me  to  urge  a  short  delay." 

"  Delay  !  Does  Henry  Ark  hesitate,  when  the  ene 
mies  of  his  King,  nay  more,  the  enemies  of  man,  are 
daring  him  to  his  duty !" 

"  Sir,  you  mistake  me.  I  hesitate,  in  order  that 
the  flag  under  which  we  sail  may  be  free  from  stain, 
and  not  with  any  intent  of  avoiding  the  combat.  Our 
enemy,  my  enemy  knows  that  he  has  nothing  now  to 
expect,  for  his  past  generosity,  but  kindness,  should 
he  become  our  captive.  Still,  Captain  Bignall,  I  ask 
for  time,  to  prepare  the  l  Dart'  for  a  conflict  that  will 
try  all  her  boasted  powers,  and  to  insure  a  victory 
that  will  not  be  bought  without  a  price." 

"  But  should  he  escape" 

"  On  my  life  he  will  not  attempt  it.  I  not  only 
know  the  man,  but  how  formidable  are  his  means  of 
resistance.  A  short  half  hour  will  put  us  in  the  ne 
cessary  condition,  and  do  no  discredit  either  to  our 
spirit  or  to  our  prudence." 

The  veteran  yielded  a  reluctant  consent,  which 
was  not,  however,  accorded  without  much  muttering 
concerning  the  disgrace  a  British  man-of-war  incur 
red  in  not  running  alongside  the  boldest  pirate  that 
floated,  and  blowing  him  out  of  water,  with  a  single 
match.  Wilder,  who  was  accustomed  to  the  honest 
professional  bravados  that  often  formed  a  peculiar 
embellishment  to  the  really  firm  and  manly  resolution 
of  the  seamen  of  that  age,  permitted  him  to  make 
his  plaints  at  will,  while  he  busied  himself  in  a  man 


THE    RED    ROVER.  491 

ncr  that  he  knew  was  now  of  the  last  importance 
and  in  a  duty  that  properly  came  under  his  more  im 
mediate  inspection,  in  consequence  of  the  station  he 
occupied. 

The  "  order  for  all  hands  to  clear  ship  for  action" 
was  again  given,  and  received  in  the  cheerful  temper 
with  which  mariners  are  wont  to  welcome  any  of 
the  more  important  changes  of  their  exciting  profes 
sion.  Little  remained,  however,  to  be  done;  for 
most  of  the  previous  preparations  had  still  been  left, 
as  at  the  original  meeting  of  the  two  vessels.  Then 
came  the  beat  to  quarters,  and  the  more  serious  and 
fearful-looking  preparations  for  certain  combat.  After 
these  several  arrangements  had  been  completed,  the 
crew  at  their  guns,  the  sail-trimmers  at  the  braces, 
and  the  officers  in  their  several  batteries,  the  after- 
yards  were  swung,  and  the  ship  once  more  put  in 
motion. 

During  this  brief  interval,  the  vessel  of  the  Rover 
lay,  at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  in  a  state  of  entire 
rest,  without  betraying  the  smallest  interest  in  the 
obvious  movements  of  her  hostile  neighbour.  When, 
however,  the  "  Dart"  was  seen  yielding  to  the  breeze, 
and  gradually  increasing  her  velocity,  until  the  water 
was  gathering  under  her  fore-foot  in  a  little  rolling 
wave  of  foam,  the  bows  of  the  other  fell  off  from  the 
direction  of  the  wind,  the  topsail  was  filled,  and,  in 
her  turn,  the  hull  was  held  in  command,  by  giving  to 
it  the  impetus  of  motion.  The  "  Dart"  now  se 
again  at  her  gaff  that  broad  field  which  had  been 
lowered  during  the  conference,  and  which  had  float 
ed  in  triumph  through  the  hazards  and  struggles  of  a 
thousand  combats.  No  answering  emblem,  however 
was  exhibited  from  the  peak  of  her  adversary. 

In  this  manner  the  two  ships  "  gathered  way,"  as 
"t  is  expressed  in  nautical  language,  watching  each 
other  with  eyes  as  jealous  as  though  they  had  been 
two  rival  monsters  of  the  great  deep,  each  endeav- 


492  THE    RED    ROVER. 

curing  to  conceal  from  his  antagonist  the  evolution 
contemplated  next  The  earnest,  serious  manner  of 
Wilder  had  not  failed  to  produce  its  influence  on  the 
straight-minded  seaman  who  commanded  the  "  Dart ;' 
and,  by  this  time,  he  was  as  much  disposed  as  his 
lieutenant  to  approach  the  conflict  leisurely,  and 
with  proper  caution. 

The  day  had  hitherto  been  cloudless,  and  a  vault 
of  purer  blue  never  canopied  a  waste  of  water,  than 
the  arch  which  had  swept  for  hours  above  the  heads 
of  our  marine  adventurers.  But,  as  if  nature  frown 
ed  on  their  present  bloody  designs,  a  dark,  threaten 
ing  mass  of  vapour  was  blending  the  ocean  with  the 
sky,  in  a  direction  opposed  to  the  steady  currents  of 
the  air.  These  well-known  and  ominous  signs  did 
not  escape  the  vigilance  of  those  who  manned  the 
hostile  vessels,  but  the  danger  was  still  deemed  too 
remote  to  interrupt  the  higher  interests  of  the  ap 
proaching  combat. 

"  We  have  a  squall  brewing  in  the  west,"  said  the 
experienced  and  wary  Bignall,  pointing  to  the  frown 
ing  symptoms  as  he  spoke ;  "  but  we  can  handle  the 
pirate,  and  get  all  snug  again,  before  it  works  its  way 
up  against  this  breeze." 

Wilder  assented ;  for,  by  this  time,  high  profes 
sional  pride  was  swelling  in  his  bosom  also,  and  a 
generous  rivalry  was  getting  the  mastery  of  feelings 
that  were  possibly  foreign  to  his  duty,  however  natu 
ral  they  might  have  been  in  one  as  open  to  kindness 
as  himself. 

"  The  Rover  is  sending  down  even  his  lighter 
masts  !"  exclaimed  the  youth  ;  "  it  would  seem  that 
he  greatly  distrusts  the  weather." 

"  We  will  not  follow  his  example ;  for  he  will  wish 
they  were  aloft  again,  the  moment  we  get  him  fairly 
under  the  play  of  our  batteries.  By  George  oui 
King,  but  he  has  a  pretty  moving  boat  under  him 


THE    RED    ROVER.  493 

Let  fall  the  main-course,  sir ;  down  with  it,  or  we 
shall  have  it  night  before  we  get  the  rogue  a-beam.* 

The  order  was  obeyed ;  and  then  the  "  Dart,' 
feeling  the  powerful  impulse,  quickened  her  speed, 
like  an  animated  being,  that  is  freshly  urged  by  it» 
apprehensions  or  its  wishes.  By  this  time,  she  had 
gained  a  position  on  the  weather-quarter  of  her  ad 
versary,  who  had  not  manifested  the  smallest  desire 
to  prevent  her  attaining  so  material  an  advantage. 
On  the  contrary,  while  the  "  Dolphin"  kept  the  same 
canvas  spread,  she  continued  to  lighten  her  top-ham 
per,  bringing  as  much  of  the  weight  as  possible,  from 
the  towering  height  of  her  tall  masts,  to  the  greater 
security  of  the  hull.  Still,  the  distance  between  them 
was  too  great,  in  the  opinion  of  Bignall,  to  commence 
the  contest,  while  the  facility  with  which  his  adver 
sary  moved  a-head  threatened  to  protract  the  impor 
tant  moment  to  an  unreasonable  extent,  or  to  reduce 
him  to  a  crowd  of  sail  that  might  prove  embarrass 
ing,  while  enveloped  in  the  smoke,  and  pressed  by 
the  urgencies  of  the  combat. 

"  We  will  touch  his  pride,  sir,  since  you  think  him 
a  man  of  spirit,"  said  the  veteran,  to  his  faithful  co 
adjutor  :  "  Give  him  a  weather-gun,  and  show  him 
another  of  his  Master's  ensigns." 

The  roar  of  the  piece,  and  the  display  of  three 
more  of  the  fields  of  England,  in  quick  succession, 
from  different  parts  of  the  "  Dart,"  failed  to  produce 
the  slightest  evidence,  even  of  observation,  aboard 
their  seemingly  insensible  neighbour.  The  "Dol 
phin"  still  kept  on  her  way,  occasionally  swooping 
up  gracefully  to  touch  the  wind,  and  then  deviating 
from  her  course  again  to  leeward,  as  the  porpoise  is 
seen  to  turn  aside  from  his  direction  to  snuff  the 
breeze,  while  he  lazily  sports  along  his  briny  path. 

"  He  will  not  be  moved  by  any  of  the  devices  of 
lawful  and  ordinary  warfare,"  said  Wilder,  when  he 
2T 


494t  THE    RED    ROVER. 

witnessed  the  indifference  with  which  their  challenge 
had  been  received. 

"  Then  try  him  with  a  shot." 

A  gun  was  now  discharged  from  the  side  next  the 
still  receding  "  Dolphin."  The  iron  messenger  was 
seen  bounding  along  the  surface  of  the  sea,  skipping 
lightly  from  wave  to  wave,  until  it  cast  a  little  cloud 
of  spray  upon  the  very  deck  of  their  enemy,  as  it 
boomed  harmlessly  past  her  hull.  Another,  and  yet 
another,  followed,  without  in  any  manner  extracting 
signal  or  notice  from  the  Rover. 

"  How's  this !"  exclaimed  the  disappointed  Big- 
nail.  "  Has  he  a  charm  for  his  ship,  that  all  our  shot 
sweep  by  him  in  rain  !  Master  Fid,  can  you  do  no 
thing  for  the  credit  of  honest  people,  and  the  honour 
of  a  pennant  ?  Let  us  hear  from  your  old  favourite ; 
in  times  past  she  used  to  speak  to  better  purpose." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir,"  returned  the  accommodating  Rich 
ard,  who,  in  the  sudden  turns  of  his  fortune,  found 
himself  in  authority  over  a  much-loved  and  long- 
cherished  piece.  "  I  christened  the  gun  after  Mis 
tress  Whiffle,  your  Honour,  for  the  same  reason,  that 
they  both  can  do  their  own  talking.  Now,  stand 
aside,  my  lads,  and  let  clattering  Kate  have  a  whis 
per  in  the  discourse." 

Richard,  who  had  coolly  taken  his  sight,  while 
speaking,  now  deliberately  applied  the  match  with 
his  own  hand,  and,  with  a  philosophy  that  was  suffi 
ciently  to  be  commended  in  a  mercenary,  sent  what 
he  boldly  pronounced  to  be  "a  thorough  straight- 
goer"  across  the  water,  in  the  direction  of  his  recent 
associates.  The  usual  moments  of  suspense  suc 
ceeded,  and  then  the  torn  fragments,  which  were  seen 
scattered  in  the  air,  announced  that  the  shot  had 
passed  through  the  nettings  of  the  "  Dolphin."  The 
effect  on  the  vessel  of  the  Rover  was  instantaneous, 
and  nearly  magical.  A  long  stripe  of  cream-coloured 
canvas,  which  had  been  artfully  extended,  from  her 


THE    RED    ROVER.  495 

stem  to  her  stern,  in  a  line  with  her  guns,  disappeared 
as  suddenly  as  a  bird  would  shut  its  wings,  leaving  in 
its  place  a  broad  blood-red  belt,  which  was  bristled 
with  the  armament  of  the  ship.  At  the  same  time, 
an  ensign  of  a  similar  ominous  colour,  rose  from  her 
poop,  and,  fluttering  darkly  and  fiercely  for  a  mo 
ment,  it  became  fixed  at  the  end  of  the  gaff. 

"  Now  I  know  him  for  the  knave  that  he  is !"  cried 
the  excited  Bignall ;  "  and,  see !  he  has  thrown  away 
his  false  paint,  and  shows  the  well-known  bloody  side, 
from  which  he  gets  his  name.  Stand  to  your  guns, 
my  men !  the  pirate  is  getting  earnest." 

He  was  still  speaking,  when  a  sheet  of  bright  flame 
glanced  from  out  that  streak  of  red  which  was  so 
well  adapted  to  work  upon  the  superstitious  awe  of 
the  common  mariners,  and  was  followed  by  the  simul 
taneous  explosion  of  nearly  a  dozen  wide-mouthed 
pieces  of  artillery.  The  startling  change,  from  inat 
tention  and  indifference,  to  this  act  of  bold  and  de 
cided  hostility,  produced  a  strong  effect  on  the  bold 
est  heart  on  board  the  King's  cruiser.  The  momen 
tary  interval  of  suspense  was  passed  in  unchanged 
attitudes  and  looks  of  deep  attention ;  and  then  the 
rushing  of  the  iron  storm  was  heard  hurtling  through 
the  air,  as  it  came  fearfully  on.  The  crash  that  fol 
lowed,  mingled,  as  it  was,  with  human  groans,  and 
succeeded  by  the  tearing  of  riven  plank,  and  the  scat 
tering  high  of  splinters,  ropes,  blocks,  and  the  imple 
ments  of  war,  proclaimed  the  fatal  accuracy  of  the 
broadside.  But  the  surprise,  and,  with  it,  the  brief 
:onfusion,  endured  but  for  an  instant.  The  English 
shouted,  and  sent  back  a  return  to  the  deadly  assault 
they  had  just  received,  recovering  manfully  and 
promptly  from  the  shock  which  it  had  assuredly  given. 

The  ordinary  and  more  regular  cannonading  of  a 
naval  combat  succeeded.  Anxious  to  precipitate  the 
issue,  both  ships  pressed  nigher  to  each  other  the 
while,  until,  in  a  few  moments,  the  two  white  canopies 


496  THE    RED    ROVER. 

of  smoke,  that  were  wreathing  about  their  respective 
masts,  were  blended  in  one,  marking  a  solitary  spot 
of  strife,  in  the  midst  of  a  scene  of  broad  and  bright 
tranquillity.  The  discharges  of  the  cannon  were  hot, 
close,  and  incessant.  While  the  hostile  parties,  how 
ever,  closely  imitated  each  other  in  their  zeal  in 
dealing  out  destruction,  a  peculiar  difference  marked 
the  distinction  in  character  of  the  two  crews.  Loud, 
cheering  shouts  accompanied  each  discharge  from 
the  lawful  cruiser,  while  the  people  of  the  rover  did 
their  murderous  work  amid  the  deep  silence  of  des 
peration. 

The  spirit  and  uproar  of  the  scene  soon  quickened 
that  blood,  in  the  veins  of  the  veteran  Bignall,  which 
had  begun  to  circulate  a  little  slowly  by  time. 

"  The  fellow  has  not  forgotten  his  art !"  he  ex 
claimed,  as  the  effects  of  his  enemy's  skill  were  get 
ting  but  too  manifest,  in  the  rent  sails,  shivered  spars, 
and  tottering  masts  of  his  own  ship.  "  Had  he  but 
the  commission  of  the  King  in  his  pocket,  one  might 
call  him  a  hero  !" 

The  emergency  was  too  urgent  to  throw  away  the 
time  in  words.  Wilder  answered  only  by  cheering 
his  own  people  to  their  fierce  and  laborious  task. 
The  ships  had  now  fallen  off  before  the  wind,  and 
were  running  parallel  to  each  other,  emitting  sheets 
of  flame,  that  were  incessantly  glancing  through  im 
mense  volumes  of  smoke.  The  spars  of  the  respec 
tive  vessels  were  alone  visible,  at  brief  and  uncertain 
intervals.  Many  minutes  had  thus  passed,  seeming 
to  those  engaged  but  a  moment  of  time,  when  the 
mariners  of  the  "Dart"  found  that  they  no  longer 
held  their  vessel  in  the  quick  command,  so  necessary 
to  their  situation.  The  important  circumstance  was 
instantly  conveyed  from  the  master  to  Wilder,  and 
from  Wilder  to  his  superior.  A  hasty  consultation 
on  the  cause  and  consequences  of  this  unexpected 
event  was  the  immediate  and  natural  result 


THE    RED    ROVER.  497 

"  See !"  cried  Wilder,  "  the  sails  are  already  hang 
ing  against  the  masts  like  rags ;  the  explosions  of  the 
artillery  have  stilled  the  wind." 

"  Hark  !"  answered  the  more  experienced  Bignall : 
"  There  goes  the  artillery  of  heaven  among  our  own 
guns. — The  squall  is  already  upon  us — port  the  helm, 
sir,  and  sheer  the  ship  out  of  the  smoke  !  Hard  a- 

fort  with  the  helm,  sir,  at  once  ! — hard  with  it  a-port, 
say." 

But  the  lazy  motion  of  the  vessel  did  not  answer 
to  the  impatience  of  those  who  directed  her  move 
ments,  nor  did  it  meet  the  pressing  exigencies  of  the 
moment.  In  the  mean  time,  while  Bignall,  and  the 
officers  whose  duties  kept  them  near  his  person,  as 
sisted  by  the  sail-trimmers,  were  thus  occupied,  the 
people  in  the  batteries  continued  their  murderous 
employment.  The  roar  of  cannon  was  still  constant, 
and  nearly  overwhelming,  though  there  were  instants 
when  the  deep  ominous  mutterings  of  the  atmosphere 
were  too  distinctly  audible  to  be  mistaken.  Still  the 
eye  could  lend  no  assistance  to  the  hearing,  in  deter 
mining  the  judgment  of  the  mariners.  Hulls,  spars, 
and  sails  were  alike  enveloped  in  the  curling  wreaths 
which  wrapped  heaven,  air,  vessels,  and  ocean,  alike, 
in  one  white,  obscure,  foggy  mantle.  Even  the  per 
sons  of  the  crew  were  merely  seen  at  instants,  la 
bouring  at  the  guns,  through  brief  and  varying  open 
ings. 

"  I  never  knew  the  smoke  pack  so  heavy  on  the 
deck  of  a  ship  before,"  said  Bignall,  with  a  concern 
that  even  his  caution  could  not  entirely  repress. 
"  Keep  the  helm  a-port — -jam  it  hard,  sir !  By  Hea 
ven,  Mr  Wilder,  those  knaves  well  know  they  are 
struggling  for  their  lives  !" 

"  The  fight  is  all  our  own !"  shouted  the  second 

lieutenant,  from  among  the   guns,  stanching,  as  he 

gpoke,the  blood  of  a  severe  splinter-wound  in  theface» 

and  far  too  intent  on  his  own  immediate  occupation, 

2T2 


498  THE    RED    ROVER. 

+o  have  noticed  the  signs  of  the  weather.  "  He  has 
not  answered  with  a  single  gun,  for  near  a  minute.11 

"  'Fore  George,  the  rogues  have  enough !"  exclaim 
ed  the  delighted  Bignall.  "  Three  cheers  for  vie " 

"  Hold,  sir !"  interrupted  Wilder,  with  sufficient 
decision  to  check  his  Commander's  premature  exul 
tation  ;  "  on  my  life,  our  work  is  not  so  soon  ended. 
I  think,  indeed,  his  guns  are  silent ; — but,  see !  the 
smoke  is  beginning  to  lift.  In  a  few  more  minutes,  if 
our  own  fire  should  cease,  the  view  will  be  clear." 

A  shout  from  the  men  in  the  batteries  interrupted 
his  words ;  and  then  came  a  general  cry  that  the  pi 
rates  were  sheering  off.  The  exultation  at  this  fan 
cied  evidence  of  their  superiority  was,  however,  soon 
and  fearfully  interrupted.  A  bright,  vivid  flash  pen 
etrated  through  the  dense  vapour  which  still  hung 
about  them  in  a  most  extraordinary  manner,  and  was 
followed  by  a  crash  from  the  heavens,  to  which  the 
simultaneous  explosion  of  fifty  pieces  of  artillery 
would  have  sounded  feeble. 

"  Call  the  people  from  their  guns  !"  said  Bignall, 
in  those  suppressed  tones  that  are  only  more  porten 
tous  from  their  forced  and  unnatural  calmness  :  "  Call 
them  away  at  once,  sir,  and  get  the  canvas  in!" 

Wilder,  startled  more  at  the  proximity  and  appa 
rent  weight  of  the  squall  than  at  words  to  which  he 
had  been  long  accustomed,  delayed  not  to  give  an 
order  that  was  seemingly  so  urgent.  The  men  left 
their  batteries,  like  athletae  retiring  from  the  arena, 
some  bleeding  and  faint,  some  still  fierce  and  angry, 
and  all  more  or  less  excited  by  the  furious  scene 
in  which  they  had  just  been  actors.  Many  sprung 
to  the  well-known  ropes,  while  others,  as  they  as 
cended  into  the  cloud  which  still  hung  on  the  vessej, 
became  lost  to  the  eye  in  her  rigging. 

"  Shall  I  reef,  or  furl  ?"  demanded  Wilder,  stand 
ing  with  the  trumpet  at  his  lips,  ready  to  issue  the 
necessary  order. 


THE    RED   ROVER.  499 

"  Hold,  sir ;  another  minute  will  give  us  an  open 
ing." 

The  lieutenant  paused ;  for  he  was  not  slow  to  see 
that  now,  indeed,  the  veil  was  about  to  be  drawn 
from  their  real  situation.  The  smoke,  which  had 
lain  upon  their  very  decks,  as  though  pressed  down 
by  the  superincumbent  weight  of  the  atmosphere, 
first  began  to  stir ;  was  then  seen  eddying  among  the 
masts  ;  and,  finally,  whirled  wildly  away  before  a 
powerful  current  of  air.  The  view  was,  indeed,  now 
all  before  them. 

In  place  of  the  glorious  sun,  and  that  bright,  blue 
canopy  which  had  lain  above  them  a  short  half-hour 
before,  the  heavens  were  clothed  in  one  immense 
black  veil.  The  sea  reflected  the  portentous  colour, 
looking  dark  and  angrily.  The  waves  had  already 
lost  their  regular  rise  and  fall,  and  were  tossing  to 
and  fro,  as  if  awaiting  the  power  that  was  to  give 
them  direction  and  greater  force.  The  flashes  from 
the  heavens  were  not  in  quick  succession ;  but  the 
few  that  did  break  upon  the  gloominess  of  the  scene 
came  in  majesty,  and  with  dazzling  brightness.  They 
were  accompanied  by  the  terrific  thunder  of  the  tro 
pics,  in  which  it  is  scarcely  profanation  to  fancy  that 
the  voice  of  One  who  made  the  universe  is  actually 
speaking  to  the  creatures  of  his  hand.  On  every  side, 
was  the  appearance  of  a  fierce  and  dangerous  strug 
gle  in  the  elements.  The  vessel  of  the  Rover  was 
running  lightly  before  a  breeze,  which  had  already 
come  fresh  and  fitful  from  the  cloud,  with  her  sails 
reduced,  and  her  people  coolly,  but  actively,  em 
ployed  in  repairing  the  damages  of  the  fight. 

Not  a  moment  was  to  be  lost  in  imitating  the  ex 
ample  of  the  wary  freebooters.  The  head  of  the 
"  Dart"  was  hastily,  and  happily,  got  in  a  direction 
contrary  to  the  breeze ;  and,  as  she  began  to  follow 
the  course  taken  by  the  "  Dolphin,"  an  attempt  was 


500  THE    RED    ROVER. 

made  to  gather  her  torn  and  nearly  useless  canras 
to  the  yards.  But  precious  minutes  had  been  lost  in 
the  smoky  canopy,  that  might  never  be  regained. 
The  sea  changed  its  colour  from  a  dark  green  to  a 
glittering  white ;  and  then  the  fury  of  the  gust  was 
heard  rushing  along  the  water  with  fearful  rapidity, 
and  with  a  violence  that  could  not  be  resisted. 

"  Be  lively,  men  !"  shouted  Bignall  himself,  in  the 
exigency  in  which  his  vessel  was  placed;  "Roll  up 
the  cloth ;  in  with  it  all — leave  not  a  rag  to  the  squall ! 
Tore  George,  Mr  Wilder,  but  this  wind  is  not  play 
ing  with  us  ;  cheer  up  the  men  to  their  work ;  speak 
to  them  cheerily,  sir !" 

"  Furl  away !"  shouted  Wilder.  "  Cut,  if  too  late , 
work  away  with  knives  and  teeth — down,  every  man 
of  you,  down — down  for  your  lives,  all !" 

There  was  that  in  the  voice  of  the  lieutenant  which 
sounded  in  the  ears  of  his  people  like  a  supernatural 
cry.  He  had  so  recently  witnessed  a  calamity  simi 
lar  to  that  which  again  threatened  him,  that  perhaps 
his  feelings  lent  a  secret  horror  to  the  tones.  A  s>core 
of  forms  was  seen  descending  swiftly,  through  an 
atmosphere  that  appeared  sensible  to  the  touch.  Nor 
was  their  escape,  which  might  be  likened  to  the 
stooping  of  birds  that  dart  into  their  nest,  too  ear 
nestly  pressed.  Stripped  of  all  its  rigging,  and  al 
ready  tottering  under  numerous  wounds,  the  lofty 
and  overloaded  spars  yielded  to  the  mighty  force  of 
the  squall,  tumbling  in  succession  towards  the  hull, 
until  nothing  stood  but  the  three  firmer,  but  shorn 
and  nearly  useless,  lower  masts.  By  far  the  greater 
number  of  those  aloft  reached  the  deck  in  time  to  in 
sure  their  safety,  though  some  there  were  too  stub 
born,  and  still  too  much  under  the  sullen  influence 
of  the  combat,  to  hearken  to  the  words  of  warning. 
These  victims  of  their  own  obstinacy  were  seen  cling 
ing  to  the  broken  fragments  of  the  spars,  as  the 


THE    RED   ROVER.  501 

*  Dart,"  in  a  cloud  of  foam,  drove  away  from  the 
spot  where  they  floated,  until  their  persons  and  their 
misery  were  alike  swallowed  in  the  distance. 

"  It  is  the  hand  of  God  !"  hoarsely  exclaimed  the 
veteran  Bignall,  while  his  contracting  eye  drunk  in 
the  destruction  of  the  wreck.  "Mark  me,  Henry 
Ark ;  I  will  for  ever  testify  that  the  guns  of  the  pirate 
have  not  brought  us  to  this  condition." 

Little  disposed  to  seek  the  same  miserable  conso 
lation  as  his  Commander,  Wilder  exerted  himself  in 
counteracting,  so  far  as  circumstances  would  allow, 
an  injury  that  he  felt,  however,  at  that  moment  to  be 
irreparable.  Amid  the  howling  of  the  gust,  and  the 
fearful  crashing  of  the  thunder,  with  an  atmosphere 
now  lurid  with  the  glare  of  lightning,  and  now  nearly 
obscured  by  the  dark  canopy  of  vapour,  and  with  all 
the  frightful  evidences  of  the  fight  still  reeking  and 
ghastly  before  their  eyes,  did  the  crew  of  the  British 
cruiser  prove  true  to  themselves  and  to  their  ancient 
reputation.  The  voices  of  Bignall  and  his  subordi 
nates  were  heard  in  the  tempest,  uttering  those  man 
dates  which  long  experience  had  rendered  familiar, 
or  encouraging  the  people  to  their  duty.  But  the 
strife  of  the  elements  was  happily  of  short  continu 
ance.  The  squall  soon  swept  over  the  spot,  leaving 
the  currents  of  the  trade  rushing  into  their  former 
channels,  and  a  sea  that  was  rather  stilled,  than  agi 
tated,  by  the  counteracting  influence  of  the  winds. 

But,  as  one  danger  passed  away  from  before  the 
eyes  of  the  mariners  of  the  "  Dart,"  another,  scarce 
ly  less  to  be  apprehended,  forced  itself  upon  their 
attention.  All  recollection  of  the  favours  of  the  past, 
and  every  feeling  of  gratitude,  was  banished  from 
the  mind  of  Wilder,  by  the  mountings  of  powerful 
professional  pride,  and  that  love  of  glory  which  be 
comes  inherent  in  the  warrior,  as  he  gazed  on  the 
untouched  and  beautiful  symmetry  of  the  "  Dol 
phin's'1  spars,  and  all  the  perfect,  and  still  underang 


502  THE   RED   ROVER. 

ed,  order  of  her  tackle.  It  seemed  as  if  she  hore  a 
charmed  fate,  or  that  some  supernatural  agency  had 
been  instrumental  in  preserving  her  unharmed,  amid 
the  violence  of  a  second  hurricane.  But  cooler 
thought,  and  more  impartial  reflection,  compelled  the 
internal  acknowledgment,  that  the  vigilance  and 
wise  precautions  of  the  remarkable  individual  who 
appeared  not  only  to  govern  her  movements,  but  to 
control  her  fortunes,  had  their  proper  influence  in 
producing  the  result. 

Little  leisure,  however,  was  allowed  to  ruminate 
on  these  changes,  or  to  deprecate  the  advantage  of 
their  enemy.  The  vessel  of  the  Rover  had  already 
opened  many  broad  sheets  of  canvas ;  and,  as  the 
return  of  the  regular  breeze  gave  her  the  wind,  her 
approach  was  rapid  and  unavoidable. 

"  'Fore  George,  Mr  Ark,  luck  is  all  on  the  dishon 
est  side  to-day,"  said  the  veteran,  so  soon  as  he  per 
ceived,  by  the  direction  which  the  "  Dolphin1'  took, 
that  the  encounter  was  likely  to  be  renewed.  "  Send 
the  people  to  quarters  again,  and  clear  away  the 
guns ;  for  we  are  likely  to  have  another  bout  with 
the  rogues." 

"  1  would  advise  a  moment's  delay,"  Wilder  earn 
estly  observed,  when  he  heard  his  Commander  issu 
ing  an  order  to  his  people  to  prepare  to  deliver  their 
fire,  the  instant  their  enemy  should  come  within  a 
favourable  position.  "  Let  me  entreat  you  to  delay ; 
we  know  not  what  may  be  his  present  intentions." 

"  None  shall  put  foot  on  the  deck  of  the  *  Dart,' 
without  submitting  to  the  authority  of  her  royal  mas 
ter,"  returned  the  stern  old  tar.  "  Give  it  to  him, 
my  men !  Scatter  the  rogues  from  their  guns !  and 
let  them  know  the  danger  of  approaching  a  lion, 
though  he  should  be  crippled !" 

Wilder  saw  that  remonstrance  was  now  too  late 
for  a  fresh  broadside  was  hurled  from  the  "  Dart,"  to 
defeat  any  generous  intentions  that  the  Rover  might 


THE    RED    ROVER.  503 

entertain.  The  ship  of  the  latter  received  the  iron 
storm,  while  advancing,  and  immediately  deviated 
gracefully  from  her  course,  in  such  a  way  as  to  pre 
vent  its  repetition.  Then  she  was  seen  sweeping 
towards  the  bows  of  the  nearly  helpless  cruiser  of 
the  King,  and  a  hoarse  summons  was  heard  ordering 
her  ensign  to  be  lowered. 

"  Come  on,  ye  villains  !"  shouted  the  excited  Big- 
nail.  "  Come,  and  perform  the  office  with  your  own 
hands !" 

The  graceful  ship,  as  if  sensible  herself  to  the 
taunts  of  her  enemy,  sprung  nigher  to  the  wind,  and 
shot  across  the  fore-foot  of  the  "  Dart,"  delivering 
her  fire,  gun  after  gun,  with  deliberate  and  deadly 
accuracy,  full  into  that  defenceless  portion  of  her 
antagonist.  A  crush  like  that  of  meeting  bodies  fol 
lowed,  and  then  fifty  grim  visages  were  seen  entering 
the  scene  of  carnage,  armed  with  the  deadly  wea 
pons  of  personal  conflict.  The  shock  of  so  close 
and  so  fatal  a  discharge  had,  for  the  moment,  para 
lyzed  the  efforts  of  the  assailed ;  but  no  sooner  did 
Bignall,  and  his  lieutenant,  see  the  dark  forms  thai 
issued  from  the  smoke  on  their  own  decks,  than, 
with  voices  that  had  not  even  then  lost  their  authori 
ty,  each  summoned  a  band  of  followers,  backed  by 
whom,  they  bravely  dashed  into  the  opposite  gang 
ways  of  their  ship,  to  stay  the  torrent.  The  first  en 
counter  was  fierce  and  fatal,  both  parties  receding  a 
little,  to  wait  for  succour  and  recover  breath." 

"  Come  on,  ye  murderous  thieves !"  cried  the 
dauntless  veteran,  who  stood  foremost  in  his  own 
band,  conspicuous  by  the  locks  of  gray  that  floated 
around  his  naked  head,  "  well  do  ye  know  that  hea 
ven  is  with  the  right !" 

The  grim  freebooters  in  his  front  recoiled  and 
opened ;  then  came  a  sheet  of  flame,  from  the  side 
of  the  "  Dolphin,"  through  an  empty  port  of  her  ad 
versary,  bearing  in  its  centre  a  hundred  deadly  mis- 


504  THE    RED    ROVER 

siles.  The  sword  of  Bignall  was  flourished  furiously 
and  wildly  above  his  head,  and  his  voice  was  still 
heard  crying,  till  the  sounds  rattled  in  his  throat, — 

"  Come  on,  ye  knaves  !  come  on ! — Harry — Harry 
Ark  !  O  God  !— Hurrah !" 

He  fell  like  a  log,  and  died  the  unwitting  possessor 
of  that  very  commission  for  which  he  had  toiled 
throughout  a  life  of  hardship  and  danger.  Until  now 
Wilder  had  made  good  his  quarter  of  the  deck, 
though  pressed  by  a  band  as  fierce  and  daring  as  his 
own;  but,  at  this  fearful  crisis  in  the  combat,  a  voice 
was  heard  in  the  melee,  that  thrilled  on  all  his 
nerves,  and  seemed  even  to  carry  its  fearful  influence 
over  the  minds  of  his  men. 

"  Make  way  there,  make  way !"  it  said,  in  tones 
clear,  deep,  and  breathing  with  authority,  "make 
way,  and  follow;  no  hand  but  mine  shall  lower  that 
vaunting  flag!" 

"  Stand  to  your  faith,  my  men  !"  shouted  Wilder  in 
reply.  Shouts,  oaths,  imprecations,  and  groans  formed 
a  fearful  accompaniment  of  the  rude  encounter, 
which  was,  however,  far  too  violent  to  continue  long. 
Wilder  saw,  with  agony,  that  numbers  and  impetuos 
ity  were  sweeping  his  supporters  from  around  him. 
Again  and  again  he  called  them  to  the  succour  with 
his  voice,  or  stimulated  them  to  daring  by  his  ex 
ample. 

Friend  after  friend  fell  at  his  feet,  until  he  was 
driven  to  the  utmost  extremity  of  the  deck.  Here 
he  again  rallied  a  little  band,  against  which  several 
furious  charges  were  made,  in  vain. 

"  Ha !"  exclaimed  a  voice  he  well  knew ;  "  death 
to  all  traitors !  Spit  the  spy,  as  you  would  a  dog ! 
Charge  through  them,  my  bullies ;  a  halbert  to  the 
hero  who  shall  reach  his  heart !" 

44  Avast,  ye  lubber !"  returned  the  stern  tones  of  the 
staunch  Richard.  "Here  are  a  white  man  and  a 
nigger  at  your  service,  if  you've  need  of  a  spit,' 


THE    RED    ROVER.  505 

*c  Two  more  of  the  gang !"  continued  the  General, 
aiming  a  blow  that  threatened  to  immolate  the  top- 
man,  as  he  spoke. 

A  dark  half-naked  form  was  interposed  to  receive 
the  descending  blade,  which  fell  on  the  staff'  of  a  half- 
pike,  and  severed  it  as  though  it  had  been  a  reed. 
Nothing  daunted  by  the  defenceless  state  in  which  he 
found  himself,  Scipio  made  his  way  to  the  front  of 
Wilder,  where,  with  a  body  divested  to  the  waist  of 
every  garment,  and  empty  handed,  he  fought  with  his 
brawny  arms,  like  one  who  despised  the  cuts,  thrusts 
and  assaults,  of  which  his  athletic  frame  immediately 
became  the  helpless  subject. 

"Give  it  to  'em,  right  and  left,  Guinea,"  cried  Fid : 
"  here  is  one  who  will  come  in  as  a  backer,  so  soon 
as  he  has  stopped  the  grog  of  the  marine." 

The  parries  and  science  of  the  unfortunate  Gen 
eral  were  at  this  moment  set  at  nought,  by  a  blow 
from  Richard,  which  broke  down  all  his  defences, 
descending  through  cap  and  skull  to  the  jaw. 

"  Hold,  murderers  !"  cried  Wilder,  who  saw  the 
numberless  blows  that  were  falling  on  the  defenceless 
body  of  the  still  undaunted  black.  "Strike  here! 
and  spare  an  unarmed  man  !" 

The  sight  of  our  adventurer  became  confused,  for 
he  saw  the  negro  fall,  dragging  with  him  to  the  deck 
two  of  his  assailants  ;  and  then  a  voice,  deep  as  the 
emotion  which  such  a  scene  might  create,  appeared 
to  utter  in  the  very  portals  of  his  ear, — 

"  Our  work  is  done !  He  that  strikes  another  blow 
makes  an  enemy  of  me." 
2U 


506  THE    RED    ROVER. 


CHAPTEK  XXXT. 

"  Take  him  hence  ; 

The  whole  world  shall  not  save  him."— Cyv&ehm 

THE  recent  gust  had  not  passed  more  fearfully  and 
suddenly  over  the  ship,  than  the  scene  just  related. 
But  the  smiling  aspect  of  the  tranquil  sky,  and  bright 
sun  of  the  Caribbean  sea,  found  no  parallel  in  the 
horrors  that  succeeded  the  combat.  The  momenta 
ry  confusion  which  accompanied  the  fall  of  Scipio 
soon  disappeared,  and  Wilder  was  left  to  gaze  on  the 
wreck  of  all  the  boasted  powers  of  his  cruiser,  and 
on  that  waste  of  human  life,  which  had  been  the  at 
tendants  of  the  struggle.  The  former  has  already 
been  sufficiently  described ;  but  a  short  account  of 
the  present  state  of  the  actors  may  serve  to  elucidate 
the  events  that  are  to  follow. 

Within  a  few  yards  of  the  place  he  was  permitted 
to  occupy  himself,  stood  the  motionless  form  of  the 
Rover.  A  second  glance  was  necessary,  however, 
to  recognise,  in  the  grim  visage  to  which  the  board 
ing-cap  already  mentioned  lent  a  look  of  artificial  fe 
rocity,  the  usually  bland  countenance  of  the  individ 
ual.  As  the  eye  of  Wilder  roamed  over  the  swell 
ing,  erect,  and  still  triumphant  figure,  it  was  difficult 
not  to  fancy  that  even  the  stature  had  been  suddenly 
and  unaccountably  increased.  One  hand  rested  on 
the  hilt  of  a  yataghan,  which,  by  the  crimson  drops 
that  flowed  along  its  curved  blade,  had  evidently 
done  fatal  service  in  the  fray;  and  one  foot  was 
placed,  seemingly  with  supernatural  weight,  on  that 
national  emblem  which  it  had  been  his  pride  to  lower. 
His  eye  was  wandering  sternly,  but  understandingly, 
over  the  scene,  though  he  spoke  not,  nor  in  any  other 
manner  betrayed  the  deep  interest  he  felt  in  the  past 


THE    RED    ROVER.  507 

At  his  side,  and  nearly  within  the  circle  of  his  arm 
stood  the  cowering  form  of  the  boy  Roderick,  unpro 
vided  with  weapon,  his  garments  sprinkled  with 
blood,  his  eye  contracted,  wild,  and  fearful,  and  his 
face  pallid  as  those  in  whom  the  tide  of  life  had  ju^t 
ceased  to  circulate. 

Here  and  there,  were  to  be  seen  the  wounded  cap 
tives,  still  sullen  and  unconquered  in  spirit,  while 
many  of  their  scarcely  less  fortunate  enemies  lay  in 
their  blood,  around  the  deck,  with  such  gleamings  of 
ferocity  on  their  countenances  as  plainly  denoted 
that  the  current  of  their  meditations  was  still  run 
ning  on  vengeance.  The  uninjured  and  the  slightly 
wounded,  of  both  bands,  were  already  pursuing 
their  different  objects  of  plunder  or  of  secretion. 

But,  so  thorough  was  the  discipline  established  by 
the  leader  of  the  freebooters,  so  absolute  his  power, 
that  blow  had  not  been  struck,  nor  blood  drawn, 
since  the  moment  when  his  prohibitory  mandate  was 
heard.  There  had  been  enough  of  destruction,  how 
ever,  to  have  satisfied  their  most  gluttonous  longings, 
had  human  life  been  the  sole  object  of  the  assault. 
Wilder  felt  many  a  pang,  as  the  marble-like  features 
of  humble  friend  or  faithful  servitor  came,  one  after 
another,  under  his  recognition ;  but  the  shock  was 
greatest  when  his  eye  fell  upon  the  rigid,  and  still 
frowning,  countenance  of  his  veteran  Commander. 

"  Captain  Heidegger,"  he  said,  struggling  to  main 
tain  the  fortitude  which  became  the  moment ;  "  the 
fortune  of  the  day  is  yours  :  I- ask  mercy  and  kind 
ness,  in  behalf  of  the  survivors.11 

"  They  shall  be  granted  to  those  who,  of  right, 
may  claim  them:  I  hope  it  may  be  found  that  all  are 
included  in  this  promise." 

The  voice  of  the  Rover  was  solemn,  and  full  of 
meaning;  and  it  appeared  to  convey  more  than  the 
simple  import  of  the  words.  Wilder  might  have 
mused  long  and  vainly,  however,  on  the  equivocal 


508  THE    RED    ROVER. 

manner  in  which  he  had  been  answered,  had  not  the 
approach  of  a  body  of  the  hostile  crew,  among  whom 
he  instantly  recognised  the  most  prominent  of  the 
late  mutineers  of  the  "  Dolphin, '  speedily  supplied  a 
clue  to  the  hidden  meaning  of  their  leader. 

"  We  claim  the  execution  of  our  ancient  laws !" 
sternly  commenced  the  foremost  of  the  gang,  address 
ing  his  chief  with  a  brevity  and  an  air  of  fierceness 
which  the  late  combat  might  well  have  generated,  if 
not  excused. 

"  What  would  you  have  ?" 

"  The  lives  of  traitors  !"  was  the  sullen  answer. 

u  You  know  the  conditions  of  our  service.  If  any 
such  are  in  our  power,  let  them  meet  their  fate." 

Had  any  doubt  remained  in  the  mind  of  Wilder, 
as  to  the  meaning  of  these  terrible  claimants  of  jus 
tice,  it  would  have  vanished  at  the  sullen,  ominous 
manner  with  which  he  and  his  two  companions 
were  immediately  dragged  before  the  lawless  chief. 
Though  the  love  of  life  was  strong  and  active  in  his 
breast,  it  was  not,  even  in  that  fearful  moment,  ex 
hibited  in  any  deprecating  or  unmanly  form.  Not 
for  an  instant  did  his  mind  waver,  or  his  thoughts 
wander  to  any  subterfuge,  that  might  prove  unwor 
thy  of  his  profession  or  his  former  character.  One 
anxious,  inquiring  look  was  fastened  on  the  eye  of 
him  whose  power  alone  might  save  him.  He  wit 
nessed  the  short,  severe  struggle  of  regret  that  soft 
ened  the  rigid  muscles  of  the  Rover's  countenance, 
and  then  he  saw  the  instant,  cold,  and  calm  compo 
sure  which  settled  on  every  one  of  its  disciplined 
lineaments.  He  knew,  at  once,  that  the  feelings  of 
the  man  were  smothered  in  the  duty  of  the  chief, 
and  more  was  unnecessary  to  teach  him  the  utter 
hopelessness  of  his  condition.  Scorning  to  render 
his  state  degrading  by  useless  remonstrances,  the 
youth  remained  where  his  accusers  had  seen  fit  to 
place  him- — firm,  motionless,  and  silent. 


THE    RED    ROVER.  509 

"  What  would  ye  have  ?"  the  Rover  was  at  length 
heard  to  say,  in  a  voice  that  even  his  iron  nerves 
scarce  rendered  deep  and  full-toned  as  common. 
'What  ask  ye?" 

"  Their  lives !" 

"  I  understand  you ;  go ;  they  are  at  your  mercy." 

Notwithstanding  the  horrors  of  the  scene  through 
which  he  had  just  passed,  and  that  high  and  lofty 
excitement  which  had  sustained  him  through  the 
fight,  the  deliberate,  solemn  tones  with  which  his 
judge  delivered  a  sentence  that  he  knew  consigned 
him  to  a  hasty  and  ignominious  death,  shook  the 
frame  of  our  adventurer  nearly  to  insensibility.  The 
blood  recoiled  backward  to  his  heart,  and  the  sick 
ening  sensation  that  beset  his  brain  threatened  to  up 
set  his  reason.  But  the  shock  passed,  on  the  instant, 
leaving  him  erect,  and  seemingly  proud  and  firm  as 
ever,  and  certainly  with  no  evidence  of  mortal  weak 
ness,  that  human  eye  could  discover. 

"For  myself  nothing  is  demanded,"  he  said,  with 
admirable  steadiness.  "I  know  your  self-enacted 
laws  condemn  me  to  a  miserable  fate ;  but  for  these 
ignorant,  confiding,  faithful  followers,  I  claim,  nay 
beg,  entreat,  implore  your  mercy;  they  knew  not 
what  they  did,  and" — 

"  Speak  to  these  !"  said  the  Rover,  pointing,  with 
an  averted  eye,  to  the  fierce  knot  by  which  he  was 
surrounded  :  "  These  are  your  judges,  and  the  sole 
ministers  of  mercy."  . 

Strong  and  nearly  unconquerable  disgust  was  ap 
parent  in  the  manner  of  the  youth ;  but,  with  a  mighty 
effort,  he  subdued  it,  and,  turning  to  the  crew,  con 
tinued, — 

"  Then  even  to  these  will  I  humble  myself  in  peti 
tions.  Ye  are  men,  and  ye  are  manners" — 

"Away  with  him!"  exclaimed  the  croaking  Night 
ingale  ;  "  he  preaches  !  away  with  him  to  the  yard- 


arm  !  away  !" 


2U2 


510  THE   RED    ROVER. 

The  shrill,  long-drawn  winding  of  the  call  which 
the  callous  boatswain  sounded  in  bitter  mockery 
was  answered  by  an  echo  from  twenty  voices,  in 
which  the  accents  of  nearly  as  many  different  people 
mingled  in  hoarse  discordancy,  as  they  shouted, — 

"  To  the  yard-arm !  away  with  the  three  !  away !' 

Wilder  cast  a  last  glance  of  appeal  at  the  Rover 
but  he  met  no  look,  in  return,  from  a  face  that  was 
intentionally  averted.  Then,  with  a  burning  brain 
he  felt  himself  rudely  transferred  from  the  quarter 
deck  into  the  centre  and  less  privileged  portion  of 
the  ship.  The  violence  of  the  passage,  the  hurried 
reeving  of  cords,  and  all  the  fearful  preparations  of  a 
nautical  execution,  appeared  but  the  business  of  a 
moment,  to  him  who  stood  so  near  the  verge  of  time 

"  A  yellow  flag  for  punishment !"  bawled  the  re 
vengeful  captain  of  the  forecastle  ;  "  let  the  gentle 
man  sail  on  his  last  cruise,  under  the  rogue's  ensign  P 

u  A  yellow  flag !  a  yellow  flag !"  echoed  twenty 
taunting  throats.     "  Down  with  the  Rover's  ensign 
and  up  with  the  colours  of  the  prevot-marshal !     A 
yellow  flag !  a  yellow  flag !" 

The  hoarse  laughter,  and  mocking  merriment,  with 
which  this  coarse  device  was  received,  stirred  the  ire 
of  Fid,  who  had  submitted  in  silence,  so  f&r,  to  the 
rude  treatment  he  received,  for  no  other  reason  than 
that  he  thought  his  superior  was  the  best  qualified  to 
utter  the  little  which  it  might  be  necessary  to  say. 

"  Avast^  ye  villains !"  he  hotly  exclaimed,  prudence 
and  moderation  losing  their  influence,  under  the  ex 
citement  of  scornful  anger;  "ye  cut-throat,  lubberly 
villains  !  That  ye  are  villains,  is  to  be  proved,  in  youi 
teeth,  by  your  getting  your  sailing  orders  from  the 
devil ;  and  that  ye  are  lubbers,  any  man  may  see  by 
the  fashion  in  which  ye  have  rove  this  cord  about 
my  throat.  A  fine  jam  will  ye  make  with  a  turn  in 
your  whip !  But  ye '11  all  come  to  know  how  a  man 
is  to  be  decently  hanged,  ye  rogues,  ye  will.  Ye'll 


THE    RED    ROVER.  511 

all  come  honestly  by  the  knowledge,  in  your  day,  ye 
will !" 

•**  Clear  the  turn,  and  run  him  up  !"  shouted  one, 
two,  three  voices,  in  rapid  succession;  "a  clear  whip, 
and  a  swift  run  to  heaven !" 

Happily  a  fresh  burst  of  riotous  clamour,  from  one 
of  the  hatchways,  interrupted  the  intention ;  and  then 
was  heard  the  cry  of, — 

"A  priest!  a  priest!  Pipe  the  rogues  to  prayers, 
before  they  take  their  dance  on  nothing !" 

The  ferocious  laughter  with  which  the  freebooters 
received  this  sneering  proposal,  was  hushed  as  sud 
denly  as  though  One  answered  to  their  mockery,  from 
that  mercy-seat  whose  power  they  so  sacrilegiously 
braved,  wlien  a  deep,  menacing  voice  was  heard  in 
their  midst,  saying, — 

"  By  heaven,  if  touch,  or  look,  be  laid  too  boldly 
on  a  prisoner  in  this  ship,  he  who  offends  had  better 
beg  the  fate  ye  give  these  miserable  men,  than  meet 
my  anger.  Stand  off,  I  bid  you,  and  let  the  chaplain 
approach !" 

Every  bold  hand  was  instantly  withdrawn,  and 
each  profane  lip  was  closed  in  trembling  silence,  giv 
ing  the  terrified  and  horror-stricken  subject  of  their 
liberties  room  and  opportunity  to  advance  to  the 
scene  of  punishment. 

"  See,"  said  the  Rover,  in  calmer  but  still  deeply 
authoritative  tones;  uyou  are  a  minister  of  God, 
and  your  office  is  sacred  charity:  If  you  have  aught 
to  smooth  the  dying  moment  to  fellow  mortal,  haste 
to  impart  it !" 

'4  In  what  have  these  offended  ?"  demanded  the 
divine,  when  power  was  given  to  speak. 

u  No  matter;  it  is  enough  that  their  hour  is  near! 
If  you  would  lift  your  voice  in  prayer,  fear  nothing. 
The  unusual  sounds  shall  be  welcome  even  here. 
Ay,  and  these  miscreants,  who  so  boldly  surround 
pu.,  shall  kneel,  and  be  mute,  as  beings  whose  soul* 


512 


THE    RED    ROVER. 


are  touched  by  the  holy  rite.  Scoffers  shall  be  dumb, 
and  unbelievers  respectful,  at  my  beck. — Speak 
freely !" 

"  Scourge  of  the  seas  !v/  commenced  the  chaplain, 
across  whose  pallid  features  a  flash  of  holy  excite 
ment  had  cast  its  glow,  "•  remorseless  violator  of  the 
laws  of  man !  audacious  contemner  of  the  mandates 
of  your  God !  a  fearful  retribution  shall  avenge  this 
crime.  Is  it  not  enough  that  you  have  this  day  con 
signed  so  many  to  a  sudden  end,  but  your  vengeance 
must  be  glutted  with  more  blood  ?  Beware  the  hour 
when  these  things  shall  be  visited,  in  almighty  power, 
on  your  own  devoted  head  .*" 

"  Look  !"  said  the  Rover,  smiling,  but  with  an  ex 
pression  that  was  haggard,  in  spite  of  the  unnatural 
exultation  that  struggled  about  his  quivering  lip ; 
u  here  are  the  evidences  of  the  manner  in  which 
Heaven  protects  the  right !" 

"  Though  its  awful  justice  be  hidden  in  inscruta 
ble  wisdom  for  a  time,  deceive  not  thyself;  the  hour 
is  at  hand  when  it  shall  be  seen  and  felt  in  majesty  !" 
The  voice  of  the  chaplain  became  suddenly  choaked , 
for  his  wandering  eye  had  fallen  on  the  frowning 
countenance  of  Bignall,  which,  set  in  death,  lay  but 
half  concealed  beneath  that  flag  which  the  Rover 
himself  had  cast  upon  the  body.  Then,  summoning 
his  energies,  he  continued,  in  the  clear  and  admoni 
tory  strain  that  befitted  his  sacred  calling :  "  They 
tell  me  you  are  but  half  lost  to  feeling  for  your  kind; 
and,  though  the  seeds  of  better  principles,  of  better 
days,  are  smothered  in  your  heart,  that  they  still  ex 
ist,  and  might  be  quickened  into  goodly" 

"  Peace !  You  speak  in  vain.  To  your  duty  with 
these  men,  or  be  silent." 

"  Is  their  doom  sealed?" 

"  It  is." 

"  Who  says  it?"  demanded  a  low  voice  at  the  el 
bow  of  the  Rover,  which,  coming  upon  his  ear  at  that 


THE    RED    ROVER.  513 

moment,  thrilled  upon  his  most  latent  nerve,  chasing 
the  blood  from  his  cheek  to  the  secret  recesses  of  his 
frame.  But  the  weakness  had  already  passed  away 
with  the  surprise,  as  he  calmly,  and  almost  instantly, 
answered, — 

"  The  law." 

"  The  law !"  repeated  the  governess.  "  Can  they 
who  set  all  order  at  defiance,  who  despise  each  hu 
man  regulation, lalk  of  law!  Say,  it  is  heartless,  vin 
dictive  vengeance,  if  you  will ;  but  call  it  not  by  the 
sacred  name  of  law. — I  wander  from  my  object ! 
They  have  told  me  of  this  frightful  scene,  and  I  am 
come  to  offer  ransom  for  the  offenders.  Name  your 
price,  and  let  it  be  worthy  of  the  subject  we  re 
deem  ;  a  grateful  parent  shall  freely  give  it  all  for  the 
preserver  of  his  child." 

"  If  gold  will  purchase  the  lives  you  wish,"  the 
other  interrupted,  with  the  swiftness  of  thought,  "  it 
is  here  in  hoards,  and  ready  on  the  moment.  What 
say  my  people  !  Will  they  take  ransom  ?" 

A  short,  brooding  pause  succeeded ;  and  then  a  low, 
ominous  murmur  was  raised  in  the  throng,  announc 
ing  their  reluctance  to  dispense  with  vengeance.  A 
scornful  glance  shot  from  the  glowing  eye  of  the 
Rover,  across  the  fierce  countenances  by  which  he 
was  environed  ;  his  lips  moved  with  vehemence ; 
but,  as  if  he  disdained  further  intercession,  nothing 
was  uttered  for  the  ear.  Turning  to  the  divine,  he 
added,  with  all  the  former  composure  of  his  wonder 
ful  manner, — 

"  Forget  not  your  sacred  office — time  is  leaving 
us."  He  was  then  moving  slowly  aside,  in  imitation 
of  the  governess,  who  had  already  veiled  her  fea 
tures  from  the  revolting  scene,  when  Wilder  address 
ed  him. 

"  For  the  service  you  would  have  done  me,  from 
my  soul  I  thank  you,"  he  said.  "  If  you  would  know 


514  THE    RED    ROVER. 

that  I  leave  you  in  peace,  give  yet  one  solemn  assur 
ance  before  I  die." 

"To  what?" 

"  Promise,  that  they  who  came  with  me  into  your 
ship  shall  leave  it  unharmed,  and  speedily." 

"Promise,  Walter,"  said  a  solemn,  smothered 
voice,  in  the  throng. 

"  I  do." 

"  I  ask  no  more. — Now,  Reverend  Minister  of  Godk 
perform  thy  holy  office,  near  my  companions.  Their 
ignorance  may  profit  by  your  service.  If  I  quit  thi? 
bright  and  glorious  scene,  without  thought  and  grati 
tude  to  that  Being  who,  I  humbly  trust,  has  made  me 
an  heritor  of  still  greater  things,  I  offend  wittingly 
and  without  hope.  But  these  may  find  consolation 
in  your  prayers." 

Amid  an  awful  and  breathing  silence,  the  chaplain 
approached  the  devoted  companions  of  Wilder 
1  heir  comparative  insignificance  had  left  them  unob 
served  during  most  of  the  foregoing  scene ;  and  ma 
terial  changes  had  occurred,  unheeded,  in  their  situ 
ation.  Fid  was  seated  on  the  deck,  his  collar  unbut 
toned,  his  neck  encircled  with  the  fatal  cord,  sustain 
ing  the  head  of  the  nearly  helpless  black,  which  he 
had  placed,  with  singular  tenderness  and  care,  in 
his  lap. 

"  This  man,  at  least,  will  disappoint  the  malice  of 
his  enemies,"  said  the  divine,  taking  the  hard  hand 
of  the  negro  into  his  own  ;  "  the  termination  of  his 
wrongs  and  his  degradation  approaches;  he  will  soon 
be  far  beyond  the  reach  of  human  injustice. — Friend 
by  what  name  is  your  companion  known  ?" 

"  It  is  little  matter  how  you  hail  a  dying  man,"  re 
turned  Richard,  with  a  melancholy  shake  of  thi^ 
head.  "He  has  commonly  been  entered  on  the  ship's 
books  as  Scipio  Africa,  corning,  as  he  did,  from  ITie 
coast  of  Guinea ;  but,  if  you  call  him  S'ip,  he  will 
not  be  slow  to  understand  " 


THE   RED    ROVER.  515 

**  Has  he  known  baptism  ?  Is  he  a  Christian  ?" 

"  If  he  be  not,  I  don't  know  who  the  devil  is !" 
responded  Richard,  with  an  asperity  that  might  be 
deemed  a  little  unseasonable.  "  A  man  who  serves 
his  country,  is  true  to  his  messmate,  and  has  no  skulk 
about  him,  I  call  a  saint,  so  far  as  mere  religion  goes. 
[  say,  Guinea,  my  hearty,  give  the  chaplain  a  gripe 
of  the  fist,  if  you  call  yourself  a  Christian.  A  Span 
ish  windlass  wouldn't  give  a  stronger  screw  than  the 
knuckles  of  that  nigger  an  hour  ago ;  and,  now,  you 
see  to  what  a  giant  may  be  brought" 

"  His  latter  moment  is  indeed  near.  Shall  I  offer 
a  prayer  for  the  health  of  the  departing  spirit  ?" 

"  I  don't  know,  I  don't  know !"  answered  Fid, 
gulping  his  words,  and  uttering  a  hem,  that  was  still 
deep  and  powerful,  as  in  the  brightest  and  happiest 
of  his  days.  "  When  there  is  so  little  time  given  to 
a  poor  fellow  to  speak  his  mind  in,  it  may  be  well  to 
let  him  have  a  chance  to  do  most  of  the  talking. 
Something  may  come  uppermost  which  he  would 
like  to  send  to  his  friends  in  Africa ;  in  which  case, 
we  may  as  well  be  looking  out  for  a  proper  messen 
ger.  Hah !  what  is  it,  boy  ?  You  see  he  is  already 
trying  to  rowse  something  up  out  of  his  ideas." 

"  Misser  Fid — he'm  take  a  collar,"  said  the  black, 
struggling  for  utterance. 

"  Ay,  ay,"  returned  Richard,  again  clearing  his 
throat,  and  looking  to  the  right  and  left  fiercely,  as 
if  he  were  seeking  some  object  on  which  to  wreak 
his  vengeance.  "Ay,  ay,  Guinea;  put  your  mind  at 
ease  on  that  point,  and  for  that  matter  on  all  others. 
You  shall  have  a  grave  as  deep  as  the  sea,  and  Chris- 
tian  burial,  boy,  if  this  here  parson  will  stand  by  his 
work.  Any  small  message  you  may  have  for  your 
friends  shall  be  logg'd,  and  put  in  the  way  of  coming 
to  their  ears.  You  have  had  much  foul  weather  in 
your  time,  Guinea,  and  some  squalls  have  whistled 
about  your  head,  that  might  have  been  spared,  may 


516  THE    RED    ROVER. 

hap,  had  your  colour  been  a  shade  or  two  lighter. 
For  that  matter,  it  may  be  that  I  have  rode  you 
down  a  little  too  close  myself,  boy,  when  over-heated 
with  the  conceit  of  skin ;  for  all  which  may  the  Lord 
forgive  me  as  freely  as  1  hope  you  will  do  the  same 
thing !" 

The  negro  made  a  fruitless  effort  to  rise,  endeav 
ouring  to  grasp  the  hand  of 'the  other,  saying,  as  he 
did  so, — 

"  Misser  Fid  beg  a  pardon  of  a  black  man  !  Mas- 
ser  aloft  forget  he'm  all,  misser  Richard ;  he  t'ink  'em 
no  more." 

"  It  will  be  what  I  call  a  d — M  generous  thing, 
if  he  does,"  returned  Richard,  whose  sorrow  and 
whose  conscience  had  stirred  up  his  uncouth  feelings 
to  an  extraordinary  degree.  "  There's  the  affair  of 
slipping  off  the  wreck  of  the  smuggler  has  never  been 
properly  settled  atween  us,  neither ;  and  many  other 
small  services  of  like  nature,  for  which,  d'ye  see,  I'll 
just  thank  you,  while  there  is  opportunity  ;  for  no 
one  can  say  whether  we  shall  ever  be  borne  again 
on  the  same  ship's  books." 

A  feeble  sign  from  his  companion  caused  the  top- 
man  to  pause,  while  he  endeavoured  to  construe  its 
meaning  as  well  as  he  was  able.  With  a  facility,  that 
was  in  some  degree  owing  to  the  character  of  the  in 
dividual,  his  construction  of  the  other's  meaning  was 
favourable  to  himself,  as  was  quite  evident  by  the 
manner  m  which  he  resumed, — 

"  Well,  well,  mayhap  we  may.  1  suppose  they 
birth  the  people  there  in  some  such  order  as  is  done 
here  below,  in  which  case  we  may  be  put  within 
hailing  distance,  after  all.  Our  sailing  orders  are 
both  signed  ;  though,  as  you  seem  likely  to  slip  your 
cable  before  these  thieves  are  ready  to  run  me  up, 
you  will  be  getting  the  best  of  the  wind.  I  shall  not 
say  much  concerning  any  signals  it  may  be  necessary 
to  make,  in  order  to  make  one  another  out  aloft 


THE    RED    ROVER.  517 

taking  it  for  granted  that  you  will  not  overlook  mas 
ter  Harry,  on  account  of  the  small  advantage  you 
may  have  in  being  the  first  to  shove  off,  intending 
myself  to  keep  as  close  as  possible  in  his  wake,  which 
will  give  me  the  twofold  advantage  of  knowing  I  am 
on  the  right  tack,  and  of  falling  in  with  you" — 

"  These  are  evil  words,  and  fatal  alike  to  your 
own  future  peace,  and  to  that  of  your  unfortunate 
friend,"  interrupted  the  divine.  "  His  reliance  must 
be  placed  on  One,  different  in  all  his  attributes  from 
your  officer,  to  follow  whom,  or  to  consult  whose 
frail  conduct,  would  be  the  height  of  madness.  Place 
your  faith  on  another" 

«  If  1  do,  may  I  be " 

"  Peace,"  said  Wilder.  "  The  black  would  speak 
to  me." 

Scipio  had  turned  his  looks  in  the  direction  of  his 
officer,  and  was  making  another  feeble  effort  towards 
extending  his  hand.  As  Wilder  placed  the  member 
within  the  grasp  of  the  dying  negro,  the  latter  suc 
ceeded  in  laying  it  on  his  lips,  and  then,  flourishing 
with  a  convulsive  movement  that  herculean  arm 
which  he  had  so  lately  and  so  successfully  brandished 
in  defence  of  his  master,  the  limb  stiffened  and  fell, 
though  the  eyes  still  continued  their  affectionate  and 
glaring  gaze  on  that  countenance  he  had  so  long 
loved,  and  which,  in  the  midst  of  all  his  long-endured 
wrongs,  had  never  refused  to  meet  his  look  of  love 
in  kindness.  A  low  murmur  followed  this  scene,  and 
then  complaints  succeeded,  in  a  louder  strain,  till 
more  than  one  voice  was  heard  openly  muttering  its 
discontent  that  vengeance  should  be  so  long  delayed. 

"  Away  with  them  !"  shouted  an  ill-omened  voice 
from  the  throng.  "  Into  the  sea  with  the  carcass,  and 
up  with  the  living." 

"  Avast !"  burst  out  of  the  chest  of  Fid,  with  an 
awfulness  and  depth  that  stayed  even  the  daring 
movements  of  that  lawless  moment.  "  Who  dare  to 
2X 


518  THE    RED    ROVER. 

cast  a  seaman  into  the  brine,  with  the  dying  look 
standing  in  his  lights,  and  his  last  words  still  in  his 
messmate's  ears  ?  Ha  !  would  ye  stopper  the  fins  of 
a  man  as  ye  would  pin  a  lobster's  claw  !  That  for 
your  fastenings  and  your  lubberly  knots  together !" 
The  excited  topman  snapped  the  lines  by  which  his. 
elbows  had  been  imperfectly  secured,  while  speak 
ing,  and  immediately  lashed  the  body  of  the  black  to 
his  own,  though  his  words  received  no  interruption 
from  a  process  that  was  executed  with  all  a  seaman's 
dexterity.  "  Where  was  the  man  in  your  lubberly 
crew  that  could  lay  upon  a  yard  with  this  here  black, 
or  haul  upon  a  lee-earing,  while  he  held  the  weather- 
line  ?  Could  any  one  of  ye  all  give  up  his  rations,  in 
order  that  a  sick  messmate  might  fare  the  better?  or 
work  a  double  tide,  to  spare  the  weak  arm  of  a  friend? 
Show  me  one  who  had  as  little  dodge  under  fire,  as 
a  sound  mainmast,  and  I  will  show  you  all  that  is  left 
of  his  better.  And  now  sway  upon  your  whip,  and 
thank  God  that  the  honest  end  goes  up,  while  the 
rogues  are  suffered  to  keep  their  footing  for  a  time." 

"  Sway  away !"  echoed  Nightingale,  seconding  the 
hoarse  sounds  of  his  voice  by  the  winding  of  his  call; 
"  away  with  them  to  heaven." 

41  Hold  !"  exclaimed  the  chaplain,  happily  arrest 
ing  the  cord  before  it  had  yet  done  its  fatal  office. 
"  For  His  sake,  whose  mercy  may  one  day  be  needec 
by  the  most  hardened  of  ye  all,  give  but  another  mo, 
ment  of  time !  What  mean  these  words !  read  I  aright  * 
4  Ark,  of  Lynnhaven  !'  " 

44  Ay,  ay,"  said  Richard,  loosening  the  rope  a  lit 
tle,  in  order  to  speak  with  greater  freedom,  and  trans 
ferring  the  last  morsel  of  the  weed  from  his  box  to 
his  mouth,  as  he  answered ;  "  seeing  you  are  an  apt 
scholar,  no  wonder  you  make  it  out  so  easily,  though 
written  by  a  hand  that  was  always  better  with  a 
marling-spike  than  a  quill." 

44  But  whence  came  the  words  ?  and  why  do  you 


THE    RED    ROVER.  519 

bear  those  names,  thus  written  indelibly  in  the  skin  ? 
Patience,  men  !  monsters  !  demons  !  Would  ye  de 
prive  the  dying  man  of  even  a  minute  of  that  pre 
cious  time  which  becomes  so  dear  to  all,  as  life  is 
leaving  us  ?" 

"Give  yet  another  minute!"  said  a  deep  voice 
from  behind. 

"Whence  come  the  words,  I  ask  ?"  again  the  chap- 
.ain  demanded. 

"  They  are  neither  more  nor  less  than  the  manner 
in  which  a  circumstance  was  logged,  which  is  now  of 
no  consequence,  seeing  that  the  cruise  is  nearly  up 
with  all  who  are  chiefly  concerned.  The  black  spoke 
of  the  collar ;  but,  then,  he  thought  I  might  be  stay 
ing  in  port,  while  he  was  drifting  between  heaven 
and  earth,  in  search  of  his^last  moorings." 

"  Is  there  aught,  here,  that  I  should  know  ?"  inter 
rupted  the  eager,  tremulous  voice  of  Mrs  Wyllys. 
"  O  Merton!  why  these  questions?  Has  my  yearn 
ing  been  prophetic?  Does  nature  give  so  mysterious 
a  warning  of  its  claim  !" 

"  Hush,  dearest  Madam !  your  thoughts  wander 
from  probabilities,  and  my  faculties  become  confused. 
— 4  Ark,  of  Lynnhaven,'  was  the  name  of  an  estate 
in  the  islands,  belonging  to  a  near  and  dear  friend, 
and  it  was  the  place  where  I  received,  and  whence  I 
sent  to  the  main,  the  precious  trust  you  confided  to 
my  care.  But" 

"  Say  on !"  exclaimed  the  lady,  rushing  madly  in 
front  of  Wilder,  and  seizing  the  cord  which,  a  mo 
ment  before,  had  been  tightened  nearly  to  his  de 
struction,  stripping  it  from  his  throat,  with  a  sort  of 
supernatural  dexterity :  "  It  was  not,  then,  the  name 
of  a  ship  ?" 

"  A  ship !  surely  not.  But  what  mean  these  hopes  ? 
— these  fears?" 

"The  collar?  the  collar?  speak;  what  of  that 
ollar  ?" 


520  THE    RED    ROVER. 

"  It  means  no  great  things,  now,  my  Lady,"  re 
turned  Fid,  very  coolly  placing  himself  in  the  same 
condition  as  Wilder,  by  profiting  by  the  liberty  of  his 
arms,  and  loosening  his  own  neck  from  the  halter, 
notwithstanding  a  movement  made  by  some  of  the 
people  to  prevent  it,  which  was,  however,  staid  by  a 
look  from  their  leader's  eyes.  "  I  will  first  cast  loose 
this  here  rope ;  seeing  that  it  is  neither  decent,  nor 
safe,  for  an  ignorant  man,  like  me,  to  enter  into  such 
unknown  navigation,  a-head  of  his  officer.  The  col 
lar  was  just  the  necklace  of  the  dog,  which  is  here 
to  be  seen  on  the  arm  of  poor  Guinea,  who  was,  in 
most  respects,  a  man  for  whose  equal  one  might  long 
look  in  vain." 

"  Read  it,"  said  the  governess,  a  film  passing  be 
fore  her  own  eyes  ;  "  read  it,"  she  added,  motioning, 
with  a  quivering  hand,  to  the  divine  to  peruse  the 
inscription,  that  was  distinctly  legible  on  the  plate 
of  brass. 

"Holy  Dispenser  of  good!  what  is  this  I  see? 
1  Neptune,  the  property  of  Paul  de  Lacey  !'  " 

A  loud  cry  burst  from  the  lips  of  the  governess ; 
her  hands  were  clasped  one  single  instant  upward, 
in  that  thanksgiving  which  oppressed  her  soul,  and 
then,  as  recollection  returned,  Wilder  was  pressed 
fondly,  frantickly  to  her  bosorn,  while  her  voice  was 
heard  to  say,  in  the  piercing  tones  of  all-powerful 
nature, — 

"  My  child !  my  child  ! — You  will  not — cannot — 
dare  not,  rob  a  long-stricken  and  bereaved  mother 
of  her  offspring.  Give  me  back  my  son,  my  noble 
son  !  and  I  will  weary  Heaven  with  prayers  in  your 
behalf.  Ye  are  brave,  and  cannot  be  deaf  to  mercy 
Ye  are  men,  who  have  lived  in  constant  view  of 
God's  majesty,  and  will  not  refuse  to  listen  to  this 
evidence  of  his  pleasure.  Give  me  my  child,  and  ] 
yield  all  else  He  is  of  a  race  long  honoured  upon 
the  seas,  and  no  mariner  will  be  deaf  to  his  claims 


THE    RED    ROVER.  52] 

The  widow  of  de  Lacey,  the  daughter  of , 

cries  for  mercy.  Their  united  blood  is  in  his  veins, 
and  it  will  not  be  spilt  by  you !  A  mother  bows  her 
self  to  the  dust  before  you,  to  ask  mercy  for  her  off 
spring.  Oh  !  give  me  my  child !  my  child !" 

As  the  words  of  the  petitioner  died  upon  the  ear 
a  stillness  settled  on  the  place,  that  might  have  been 
likened  to  the  holy  calm  which  the  entrance  of  bet 
ter  feelings  leaves  upon  the  soul  of  the  sinner.  The 
grim  freebooters  regarded  each  other  in  doubt ;  the 
workings  of  nature  manifesting  themselves  in  the 
gleamings  of  even  their  stern  and  hardened  visages. 
Still,  the  desire  for  vengeance  had  got  too  firm  a  hold 
of  their  minds  to  be  dispossessed  at  a  word.  The 
result  would  yet  have  been  doubtful,  had  not  one 
suddenly  re-appeared  in  their  midst  who  never  or 
dered  in  vain ;  and  who  knew  how  to  guide,  to  quell, 
or  to  mount  and  trample  on  their  humours,  as  his 
own  pleasure  dictated.  For  half  a  minute,  he  looked 
around  him,  his  eye  still  following  the  circle,  which 
receded  as  he  gazed,  until  even  those  longest  accus 
tomed  to  yield  to  his  will  began  to  wonder  at  the  ex 
traordinary  aspect  in  which  it  was  now  exhibited. 
The  gaze  was  wild  and  bewildered ;  and  the  face 
pallid  as  that  of  the  petitioning  mother.  Three  times 
did  the  lips  sever,  before  sound  issued  from  the  cav 
erns  of  his  chest ;  then  arose,  on  the  attentive  ears 
of  the  breathless  and  listening  crowd,  a  voice  thai 
seemed  equally  charged  with  inward  emotion  and 
high  authority.  With  a  haughty  gesture  of  the  hand, 
and  a  manner  that  was  too  well  understood  to  be 
mistaken,  he  said, — 

"  Disperse  !  Ye  know  my  justice ;  but  ye  know 
1  will  be  obeyed.  My  pleasure  shall  be  known  to 
morrow/ 

2X2 


522  THE    RED   ROVER. 


CHAPTER  XXXH. 

« This  is  he; 

Who  hath  upon  him  still  that  natural  stamp : 
It  was  wise  Nature's  end  in  the  donation, 
To  oe  his  evidence  now." — Shakspearc. 

THAT  morrow  came ;  and,  with  it,  an  entire  change 
in  the  scene  and  character  of  our  tale.  The  "  Dol 
phin"  and  the  "  Dart"  were  sailing  in  amity,  side  by 
side  ;  the  latter  again  bearing  the  ensign  of  England, 
and  the  former  carrying  a  naked  gaff.  The  injuries 
of  the  gust,  and  the  combat,  had  so  far  been  repaired, 
that,  to  a  common  eye,  each  gallant  vessel  was  again 
prepared,  equally  to  encounter  the  hazards  of  the 
ocean  or  of  warfare.  A  long,  blue,  hazy  streak,  to 
the  north,  proclaimed  the  proximity  of  the  land;  and 
some  three  or  four  light  coasters  of  that  region,  which 
were  sailing  nigh,  announced  how  little  of  hostility 
existed  in  the  present  purposes  of  the  freebooters. 

What  those  designs  were,  however,  still  remained 
a  secret,  buried  in  the  bosom  of  the  Rover  alone. 
Doubt,  wonder,  and  distrust  were,  each  in  its  turn, 
to  be  traced,  not  only  in  the  features  of  his  captives, 
but  in  those  of  his  own  crew.  Throughout  the 
whole  of  the  long  night,  which  had  succeeded  the 
events  of  the  important  day  just  past,  he  had  been 
seen  to  pace  the  poop  in  brooding  silence.  The  lit- 
tie  he  had  uttered  was  merely  to  direct  the  move 
ments  of  the  vessel ;  and  when  any  ventured,  with 
other  design,  to  approach  his  person,  a  sign,  that  none 
there  dared  to  disregard,  secured  him  the  solitude  he 
wished.  Once  or  twice,  indeed,  the  boy  Roderick 
was  seen  hovering  at  his  elbow,  but  it  was  as  a  guar 
dian  spirit  would  be  fancied  to  linger  near  the  object 
of  its  care,  unobtrusively,  and,  it  might  almost  be 
added,  invisible.  When,  however,  the  sun  came 


THE    RED    ROVER.  523 

burnished  and  glorious,  out  of  the  waters  of  the  east, 
a  gun  was  fired,  to  bring  a  coaster  to  the  side  of  the 
"Dolphin ;"  and  then  it  seemed  that  the  curtain  was 
to  be  raised  on  the  closing  scene  of  the  drama.  With 
his  crew  assembled  on  the  deck  beneath,  and  the 
principal  personages  among  his  captives  beside  him 
on  the  poop,  the  Rover  addressed  the  former. 

"  Years  have  united  us  by  a  common  fortune,"  he 
said :  "  We  have  long  been  submissive  to  the  same 
laws.  If  I  have  been  prompt  to  punish,  I  have  been 
ready  to  obey.  You  cannot  charge  me  with  injus 
tice.  But  the  covenant  is  now  ended.  I  take  back 
my  pledge,  and  I  return  you  your  faiths.  Nay,  frown 
not — hesitate  not — murmur  not !  The  compact  ceas 
es,  and  our  laws  are  ended.  Such  were  the  condi 
tions  of  ihe  service.  I  give  you  your  liberty,  and 
little  do  I  claim  in  return.  That  you  need  have  no 
grounds  of  reproach,  I  bestow  my  treasure.  See," 
he  added,  raising  that  bloody  ensign  with  which  he 
had  so  often  braved  the  power  of  the  nations,  and 
exhibiting  beneath  it  sacks  of  that  metal  which  has 
so  long  governed  the  world  ;  "  see  !  This  was  mine  ; 
it  is  now  yours.  It  shall  be  put  in  yonder  coaster  ; 
there  I  leave  you,  to  bestow  it,  yourselves,  on  those 
you  may  deem  most  worthy.  Go  ;  the  land  is  near. 
Disperse,  for  your  own  sakes  :  Nor  hesitate ;  for, 
without  me,  well  do  ye  know  that  vessel  of  the  King 
would  be  your  master.  The  ship  is  already  mine , 
of  all  the  rest,  I  claim  these  prisoners  alone  for  my 
portion.  Farewell !" 

Silent  amazement  succeeded  this  unlooked-for  ad 
dress.  There  was,  indeed,  for  a  moment,  some  dispo 
sition  to  rebel ;  but  the  measures  of  the  Rover  had 
been  too  well  taken  for  resistance.  The  "  Dart"  lay 
on  their  beam,  with  her  people  at  their  guns,  match 
es  lighted,  and  a  heavy  battery.  Unprepared,  with 
out  a  leader,  and  surprised,  opposition  would  have 


524  THE    RED    ROVER 

been  madness.  The  first  astonishment  had  scarce 
abated,  before  each  freebooter  rushed  to  secure  his 
individual  effects,  and  to  transfer  them  to  the  deck 
of  the  coaster.  When  all  but  the  crew  of  a  single 
boat  had  left  the  "  Dolphin,"  the  promised  gold  was 
sent,  and  then  the  loaded  craft  was  seen  hastily  seek' 
ing  the  shelter  of  some  secret  creek.  During  this 
scene,  the  Rover  had  again  been  silent  as  death.  He 
next  turned  to  Wilder;  and,  making  a  mighty  but 
successful  effort  to  still  his  feelings,  he  added, — 

"Now  must  we,  too,  part.  I  commend  my  wound 
ed  to  your  care.  They  are  necessarily  with  your 
surgeons.  I  know  the  trust  I  give  you  will  not  be 
abused." 

"  My  word  is  the  pledge  of  their  safety,"  returned 
the  young  de  Lacey. 

"  I  believe  you. — Lady,"  he  added,  approaching 
the  elder  of  the  females,  with  an  air  in  which  earn 
estness  and  hesitation  strongly  contended,  "  if  a  pro 
scribed  and  guilty  man  may  still  address  you,  grant 
yet  a  favour." 

"  Name  it ;  a  mother's  ear  can  never  be  deaf  to 
him  who  has  spared  her  child." 

"  When  you  petition  Heaven  for  that  child,  then, 
forget  not  there  is  another  being  who  may  still  profit 
by  your  prayers! — No  more. — And  now,"  he  con 
tinued,  looking  about  him  like  one  who  was  deter 
mined  to  be  equal  to  the  pang  of  the  moment,  however 
difficult  it  might  prove,  and  surveying,  with  an  eye 
of  painful  regret,  those  naked  decks  which  were  so 
lately  teeming  with  scenes  of  life  and  revelry;  "and 
now — ay — now  we  part !  The  boat  awaits  you." 

Wilder  had  soon  seen  his  mother  and  Gertrude 
into  the  pinnace ;  but  he  still  lingered  on  the  deck 
himself. 

"  And  you !"  he  said,  "  what  will  become  of  you?v 

"    shall  shortly  be — forgotten. — Adieu  !" 


THE    RED    ROVER.  525 

The  manner  in  which  the  Rover  spoke  forbade 
delay.  The  young  man  hesitated,  squeezed  his  hand, 
and  left  him. 

When  Wilder  found  himself  restored  to  his  proper 
vessel,  of  which  the  death  of  Bignall  had  left  him  in 
command,  he  immediately  issued  the  order  to  fill  her 
sails,  and  to  steer  for  the  nearest  haven  of  his  coun 
try.  So  long  as  sight  could  read  the  movements  of 
the  man  who  remained  on  the  decks  of  the  "  Dol 
phin,"  not  a  look  was  averted  from  the  still  motion 
less  object.  She  lay,  with  her  maintop-sail  to  the 
mast,  stationary  as  some  beautiful  fabric  placed  there 
by  fairy  power,  still  lovely  in  her  proportions,  and 
perfect  in  all  her  parts.  A  human  form  was  seen 
swiftly  pacing  her  poop,  and,  by  its  side,  glided  one 
who  looked  like  a  lessened  shadow  of  that  restless 
figure,  At  length  distance  swallowed  these  indis 
tinct  images;  and  then  the  eye  was  wearied, in  vain, 
to  trace  the  internal  movements  of  the  distant  ship 
But  doubt  was  soon  ended.  Suddenly  a  streak  of 
flame  flashed  from  her  decks,  springing  fiercely  from 
sail  to  sail.  A  vast  cloud  of  smoke  broke  out  of  the 
hull,  and  then  came  the  deadened  roar  of  artillery. 
To  this  succeeded,  for  a  time,  the  awful,  and  yet  at 
tractive,  spectacle  of  a  burning  ship.  The  whole 
was  terminated  by  an  immense  canopy  of  smoke, 
and  an  explosion  that  caused  the  sails  of  the  distant 
"  Dart"  to  waver,  as  though  the  winds  of  the  trades 
were  deserting  their  eternal  direction.  When  the 
cloud  had  lifted  from  the  ocean,  an  empty  waste  of 
water  was  seen  beneath ;  and  none  might  mark  the 
spot  where  so  lately  had  floated  that  beautiful  speci 
men  of  human  ingenuity.  Some  of  those  who  as 
cended  to  the  upper  masts  of  the  cruiser,  and  were 
aided  by  glasses,  believed,  indeed,  they  could  discern 
a  solitary  speck  upon  the  sea;  but  whether  it  was 
a  boat,  or  some  fragment  of  the  wreck,  was  never 
known. 


526  THE  RED   ROVER. 

From  that  time,  the  history  of  the  dreaded  Red 
Rover  became  gradually  lost,  in  the  fresher  incidents 
of  those  eventful  seas.  But  the  mariner,  long  after 
was  known  to  shorten  the  watches  of  the  night,  by 
recounting  scenes  of  mad  enterprise  that  were  thought 
to  have  occurred  under  his  auspices.  Rumour  did 
not  fail  to  embellish  and  pervert  them,  until  the  real 
character,  and  even  name,  of  the  individual  were 
confounded  with  the  actors  of  other  atrocities. 
Scenes  of  higher  and  more  ennobling  interest,  too, 
were  occurring  on  the  Western  Continent,  to  efface 
the  circumstances  of  a  legend  that  many  deemed  wild 
and  improbable.  The  British  colonies  of  North 
America  had  revolted  against  the  government  of  the 
Crown,  and  a  weary  war  was  bringing  the  contest  to 
a  successful  issue.  Newport,  the  opening  scene  of 
this  tale,  had  been  successively  occupied  by  the  arms 
of  the  King,  and  by  those  of  that  monarch  who  had 
sent  the  chivalry  of  his  nation  to  aid  in  stripping  his 
rival  of  her  vast  possessions. 

The  beautiful  haven  had  sheltered  hostile  fleets, 
and  the  peaceful  villas  had  often  rung  with  the  mer 
riment  of  youthful  soldiers.  More  than  twenty  years, 
after  the  events  just  related,  had  been  added  to  the 
long  record  of  time,  when  the  island  town  witnessed 
the  rejoicings  of  another  festival.  The  allied  forces 
had  compelled  the  most  enterprising  leader  of  the 
British  troops  to  yield  himself  and  army  captives  to 
their  numbers  and  skill.  The  struggle  was  believed 
to  be  over,  and  the  worthy  townsmen  had,  as  usual, 
been  loud  in  the  manifestations  of  their  pleasure. 
The  rejoicings,  however,  ceased  with  the  day ;  and, 
as  night  gathered  over  the  place,  the  little  city  was 
resuming  its  customary  provincial  tranquillity.  A 
gallant  frigate,  which  lay  in  the  very  spot  where  the 
vessel  of  the  Rover  has  first  been  seen,  had  already 
lowered  the  gay  assemblage  of  friendly  ensigns, 
which  had  been  spread  in  the  usual  order  of  a  gala 


THE    RED    ROVER.  527 

day.  A  flag  of  intermingled  colours,  and  bearing  a 
constellation  of  bright  and  rising  stars,  alone  was 
floating  at  her  gaff.  Just  at  this  moment,  another 
cruiser,  but  one  of  far  less  magnitude,  was  seen  en 
tering  the  roadstead,  bearing  also  the  friendly  ensign 
of  the  new  States.  Headed  by  the  tide,  and  deserted 
by  the  breeze,  she  soon  dropped  an  anchor,  in  the 
pass  between  Connanicut  and  Rhodes,  when  a  boat 
was  seen  making  for  the  inner  harbour,  impelled  by 
the  arms  of  six  powerful  rowers.  As  the  barge  ap 
proached  a  retired  and  lonely  wharf,  a  solitary  ob 
server  of  its  movements  was  enabled  to  see  that  it 
contained  a  curtained  litter,  and  a  single  female  form. 
Before  the  curiosity  which  such  a  sight  would  be  apt 
to  create,  in  the  breast  of  one  like  the  spectator 
mentioned,  had  time  to  exercise  itself  in  conjectures, 
the  oars  were  tossed,  the  boat  had  touched  the  piles, 
and,  borne  by  the  seamen,  the  litter,  attended  by  the 
woman,  stood  before  him. 

"  Tell  me,  I  pray  you,"  said  a  voice,  in  whose 
tones  grief  and  resignation  were  singularly  combined, 
"  if  Captain  Henry  de  Lacey,  of  the  continental 
marine,  has  a  residence  in  this  town  of  Newport  ?" 

"  That  has  he,"  answered  the  aged  man  addressed 
by  the  female ;  "  that  has  he ;  or,  as  one  might  say, 
two;  since  yonder  frigate  is  no  less  his  than  the 
dwelling  on  the  hill,  just  by." 

"  Thou  art  too  old  to  point  us  out  the  way;  but, 
if  grandchild,  or  idler  of  any  sort,  be  near,  here  is 
silver  to  reward  him." 

"  Lord  help  you,  Lady !"  returned  the  other,  cast 
ing  an  oblique  glance  at  her  appearance,  as  a  sort  of 
salvo  for  the  term,  and  pocketing  the  trifling  piece 
she  offered,  with  singular  care ;  "  Lord  help  you, 
Madam !  old  though  I  am,  and  something  worn  down 
by  hardships  and  marvellous  adventures,  both  by  sea 
and  land,,  yet  will  I  gladly  do  so  small  an  office  for 


528  THE   RED    ROVER. 

one  of  your  condition.     Follow,  and  you  shall  see 
that  your  pilot  is  not  altogether  unused  to  the  path." 

The  old  man  turned,  and  was  leading  the  way  off 
the  wharf,  even  before  he  had  completed  the  assu 
rance  of  his  boasted  ability.  The  seamen  and  the 
female  followed  ;  the  latter  walking  sorrowfully  and 
in  silence  by  the  side  of  the  litter. 

"  If  you  have  need  of  refreshment,"  said  their 
guide,  pointing  over  his  shoulder,  "  yonder  is  a  well- 
known  inn,  and  one  much  frequented  in  its  time  by 
mariners.  Neighbour  Joram  and  the  '  Foul  Anchor' 
have  had  a  reputation  in  their  day,  as  well  as  the 
greatest  warrior  in  the  land;  and,  though  honest  Joe 
is  gathered-in  for  the  general  harvest,  the  house  stands 
as  firm  as  the  day  he  first  entered  it.  A  goodly  end 
he  made,  and  profitable  is  it  to  the  weak-minded  sin 
ner  to  keep  such  an  example  before  his  eyes  !" 

A  low,  smothered  sound  issued  from  the  litter 
but,  though  the  guide  stopped  to  listen,  it  was  sue 
ceeded  by  no  other  evidence  of  the  character  of  its 
tenant. 

"  The  sick  man  is  in  suffering,"  he  resumed  ;  "  but 
bodily  pain,  and  all  afflictions  which  we  suffer  in  the 
flesh,  must  have  their  allotted  time.  I  have  lived  to 
see  seven  bloody  and  cruel  wars,  of  which  this, 
which  now  rages,  is,  I  humbly  trust,  to  be  the  last. 
Of  the  wonders  which  I  witnessed,  and  the  bodily 
dangers  which  I  compassed,  in  the  sixth,  eye  hath 
never  beheld,  nor  can  tongue  utter,  their  equal !" 

"  Time  hath  dealt  hardly  by  you,  friend,"  meekly 
interrupted  the  female.  "  This  gold  may  add  a  few 
more  comfortable  days  to  those  that  are  already 
past." 

The  cripple,  for  their  conductor  was  lame  as  well 
as  aged,  received  the  offering  with  gratitude,  appa 
rently  too  much  occupied  in  estimating  its  amount 
to  give  any  more  of  his  immediate  attention  to  the 


THE    RED    ROVER.  529 

discourse.     In  the  deep  silence  that  succeeded,  the 
party  reached  the  door  of  the  villa  they  sought. 

It  was  now  night;  the  short  twilight  of  the  season 
having  disappeared,  while  the  bearers  of  the  litter 
had  been  ascending  the  hill.  A  loud  rap  was  given 
on  the  door  by  the  guide ;  and  then  he  was  told  that 
his  services  were  no  longer  needed. 

u  I  have  seen  much  and  hard  service,"  he  replied 
w  and  well  do  I  know  that  the  prudent  mariner  does 
not  dismiss  the  pilot,  until  the  ship  is  safely  moored. 
Perhaps  old  Madam  de  Lacey  is  abroad,  or  the  Cap 
tain  himself  may  not" 

"  Enough ;  here  is  one  who  will  answer  all  our 
questions." 

The  portal  was  now,  in  truth,  opened ;  and  a  man 
appeared  on  its  threshold,  holding  a  light.  The  ap 
pearance  of  the  porter  was  not,  however,  of  the 
most  encouraging  aspect.  A  certain  air,  which  can 
neither  be  assumed  nor  gotten  rid  of,  proclaimed  him 
a  son  of  the  ocean,  while  a  wooden  limb,  which 
served  to  prop  a  portion  of  his  still  square  and  ath 
letic  body,  sufficiently  proved  he  was  one  who  had 
not  attained  the  experience  of  his  hardy  calling  with 
out  some  bodily  risk.  His  countenance,  as  he  held 
the  light  above  his  head,  in  order  to  scan  the  persons 
of  the  groupe  without,  was  dogmatic,  scowling,  and 
a  little  fierce.  He  was  not  long,  however,  in  recog 
nizing  the  cripple,  of  whom  he  unceremoniously  de 
manded  the  object  of  what  he  was  pleased  to  term 
44  such  a  night  squall." 

u  Here  is  a  wounded  mariner,"  returned  the  fe 
male,  with  tones  so  tremulous  that  they  instantly 
softened  the  heart  of  the  nautical  Cerberus,  "  who  is 
come  to  claim  hospitality  of  a  brother  in  the  service, 
and  shelter  for  the  night.  We  would  speak  with 
Captain  Henry  de  Lacey." 

"  Then  you  have  struck  soundings  on  the  right 
coast,  Madam,"  returned  the  tar,  «  as  master  Paul 
2Y 


530  THE    RED    ROVER. 

here,  will  say  in  the  name  of  his  father,  no  less  than 
in  that  of  the  sweet  lady  his  mother;  not  forgetting 
old  madam  his  grandam,  who  is  no  fresh-water  fish 
herself,  for  that  matter." 

"  That  he  will,"  said  a  fine,  manly  youth  of  some 
seventeen  years,  who  wore  the  attire  of  one  who 
was  already  in  training  for  the  seas,  and  who  was 
looking  curiously  over  the  shoulder  of  the  elderly 
seaman.  "  1  will  acquaint  my  father  of  the  visit, 
and,  Richard — do  you  seek  out  a  proper  birth  for 
our  guests,  without  delay." 

This  order,  which  was  given  with  the  air  of  one 
who  had  been  accustomed  to  act  for  himself,  and  to 
speak  with  authority,  was  instantly  obeyed.  The 
apartment,  selected  by  Richard,  was  the  ordinary 
parlour  of  the  dwelling.  Here,  in  a  few  moments, 
the  litter  was  deposited ;  the  bearers  were  then  dis 
missed,  and  the  female  only  was  left,  with  its  tenant 
and  the  rude  attendant,  who  had  not  hesitated  to  give 
them  so  frank  a  reception.  The  latter  busied  him 
self  in  trimming  the  lights,  and  in  replenishing  a  bright 
wood  fire;  taking  care,  at  the  same  time,  that  no  un 
necessary  vacuum  should  occur  in  the  discourse,  to 
render  the  brief  interval,  necessary  for  the  appear 
ance  of  his  superiors,  tedious.  During  this  state  of 
things  an  inner  door  was  opened,  the  youth  already 
named  leading  the  way  for  the  three  principal  per 
sonages  of  the  mansion. 

First  came  a  middle-aged,  athletic  man,  in  the  na 
val  undress  of  a  Captain  of  the  new  States.  His  look 
was  calm,  and  his  step  was  still  firm,  though  time 
and  exposure  were  beginning  to  sprinkle  his  head 
with  gray.  He  wore  one  arm  in  a  sling,  a  proof  that 
his  service  was  still  recent ;  on  the  other  leaned  a 
lady,  in  whose  matronly  mien,  but  still  blooming 
cheek  and  bright  eyes,  were  to  be  traced  most  of  the 
ripened  beauties  of  her  sex.  Behind  them  followed 
a  third,  a  female  also,  whose  step  was  less  elastic 


THE    RED    ROVER.  531 

but  whose  person  continued  to  exhibit  the  evidences 
of  a  peaceful  evening  to  the  troubled  day  of  life. 
The  three  courteously  saluted  the  stranger,  delicately 
refraining  from  making  any  precipitate  allusion  to 
the  motive  of  her  visit.  Their  reserve  seemed  ne 
cessary  ;  for,  by  the  agitation  which  shook  the  shat 
tered  frame  of  one  who  appeared  as  much  sinking 
with  grief  as  infirmity,  it  was  too  apparent  that  the 
unknown  lady  needed  a  little  time  to  collect  her  en 
ergies,  and  to  arrange  her  thoughts. 

She  wept  long  and  bitterly,  as  though  alone  ;  nor 
did  she  essay  to  speak  until  further  silence  would 
have  become  suspicious.  Then,  drying  her  eyes,  and 
with  cheeks  on  which  a  bright,  hectic  spot  was  seated, 
her  voice  was  heard  for  the  first  time  by  her  won 
dering  hosts, 

"  You  may  deem  this  visit  an  intrusion,"  she  said ; 
"  but  one,  whose  will  is  my  law,  would  be  brought 
hither." 

"  Wherefore  ?"  asked  the  officer,  with  mildness, 
observing  that  her  voice  was  already  choaked. 

"  To  die  !"  was  the  whispered,  husky  answer. 

A  common  start  manifested  the  surprise  of  her  au 
ditors;  and  then  the  gentleman  arose,  and  approach 
ing  the  litter,  he  gently  drew  aside  a  curtain,  exposing 
its  hitherto  unseen  tenant  to  the  examination  of  all 
in  the  room.  There  was  understanding  in  the  look 
that  met  his  gaze,  though  death  was  but  too  plainly 
stamped  on  the  pallid  lineaments  of  the  wounded 
man.  His  eye  alone  seemed  still  to  belong  to  earth; 
for,  while  all  around  it  appeared  already  to  be  sunk 
into  the  helplessness  of  the  last  stage  of  human  de 
bility,  that  was  still  bright,  intelligent,  and  glowing — 
it  might  almost  have  been  described  as  glaring. 

"  Is  there  aught  in  which  we  can  contribute  to 
vour  comfort,  or  to  your  wishes?"  asked  Captain  de 
tacey,  after  a  long  and  solemn  pause,  during  which 


532  THE    RED    ROVER. 

all  around  the  litter  had  mournfully  contemplated  the 
sad  spectacle  of  sinking  mortality. 

The  smile  of  the  dying  man  was  ghastly,  though 
tenderness  and  sorrow  were  singularly  and  fearfully 
combined  in  its  expression.  He  answered  not ;  but 
his  eyes  had  wandered  from  face  to  face,  until  they 
became  riveted,  by  a  species  of  charm,  on  the  coun 
tenance  of  the  oldest  of  the  two  females.  His  gaze 
was  met  by  a  look  as  settled  as  his  own ;  and  so  evi 
dent  was  the  powerful  sympathy  which  existed  be 
tween  the  two,  that  it  could  not  escape  the  observ 
ation  of  the  spectators. 

"  Mother !"  said  the  officer,  with  affectionate  con 
cern  ;  "  my  mother !  what  troubles  you  ?" 

"  Henry — Gertrude,"  answered  the  venerable  pa 
rent,  extending  her  arms  to  her  offspring,  as  if  she 
asked  support ;  "  my  children,  your  doors  have  been 
opened  to  one  who  has  a  claim  to  enter  them.  Oh ! 
it  is  in  these  terrible  moments,  when  passion  is  asleep 
and  our  weakness  is  most  apparent,  in  these  mo 
ments  of  debility  and  disease,  that  nature  so  strongly 
manifests  its  impression !  I  see  it  all  in  that  fading 
countenance,  in  those  sunken  features,  where  so  little 
is  left  but  the  last  lingering  look  of  family  and  kin 
dred  !" 

"  Kindred  !"  exclaimed  Captain  de  Lacey  :  "  Of 
what  affinity  is  our  guest  ?" 

"A  brother!"  answered  the  lady,  dropping  her 
head  on  her  bosom,  as  though  she  had  proclaimed  a 
degree  of  consanguinity  which  gave  pain  no  less  than 
pleasure. 

The  stranger,  too  much  overcome  himself  to  speak, 
made  a  joyful  gesture  of  assent,  but  never  averted  a 
gaze  that  seemed  destined  to  maintain  its  direction 
so  long  as  life  should  lend  it  intelligence. 

"  A  brother !"  repeated  her  son,  "n  unfeigned  as 
tonishment.  "  I  knew  you  had  a  brother;  but  I  had 
thought  him  dead  a  boy." 


THE    RED    ROVEK.  533 

"  'Twas  so  1  long  believed,  myself;  though  fright- 
ful  glimpses  of  the  contrary  have  often  beset  me ;  but 
now  the  truth  is  too  plain,  in  that  fading  visage  and 
those  fallen  features,  to  be  misunderstood.  Poverty 
and  misfortune  divided  us.  I  suppose  we  thought 
each  other  dead." 

Another  feeble  gesture  proclaimed  the  assent  of 
the  wounded  man. 

"  There  is  no  further  mystery.  Henry,  the  stran 
ger  is  thy  uncle — my  brother — once  my  pupil  1" 

"  I  could  wish  to  see  him  under  happier  circum 
stances,"  returned  the  officer,  with  a  seaman's  frank 
ness  ;  "  but,  as  a  kinsman,  he  is  welcome.  Poverty, 
at  least,  shall  no  longer  divide  you." 

"  Look,  Henry — Gertrude  !"  added  the  mother, 
veiling  her  own  eyes  as  she  spoke,  "  that  face  is  no 
stranger  to  you.  See  ye  not  the  sad  ruins  of  one  ye 
both  fear  and  love  ?" 

Wonder  kept  her  children  mute,  though  both  looked 
until  sight  became  confused,  so  long  and  intense  was 
their  examination.  Then  a  hollow  sound,  which 
came  from  the  chest  of  the  stranger,  caused  them 
both  to  start ;  and,  as  his  low,  but  distinct  enuncia 
tion  rose  on  their  ears,  doubt  and  perplexity  vanished 

"  Wilder,"  he  said,  with  an  effort  in  which  his 
utmost  strength  appeared  exerted,  "  I  have  come  to 
ask  the  last  office  at  your  hands." 

"Captain  Heidegger!"  exclaimed  the  officer. 

"  The  Red  Rover !"  murmured  the  younger  Mrs 
de  Lacey,  involuntarily  recoiling  a  pace  from  the  lit 
ter,  in  alarm. 

"  The  Red  Rover !"  repeated  her  son,  pressing 
higher  with  ungovernable  curiosity. 

"Laid  by  the  heels  at  last!"  bluntly  observed  Fid, 
stumping  up  towards  the  groupe,  without  relinquish 
ing  the  tongs,  which  he  had  kept  in  constant  use,  as 
n  apology  for  remaining  in  the  presence. 

44 1  had  long  hid  my  repentance,  and  my  shame, 
2Y2 


534  THE  RED  ROVER. 

together,"  continued  the  dying  man,  when  the  mo 
mentary  surprise  had  a  little  abated ;  "  but  this  war 
drew  me  from  my  concealment.  Our  country  needed 
us  both,  and  both  has  she  had  !  You  have  served  as 
one  who  never  offended  might  serve  -,  but  a  cause  so 
holy  was  not  to  be  tarnished  by  a  name  like  mine. 
May  the  little  I  have  done  for  good  be  remembered 
when  the  world  speaks  of  the  evil  of  my  hands !  Sis 
ter — mother — pardon  I" 

"May  that  God,  who  forms  his  creatures  with  such 
fearful  natures,  look  mercifully  on  all  our  weakness 
es !"  exclaimed  the  weeping  Mrs  de  Lacey,  bowing 
to  her  knees,  and  lifting  her  hands  and  eyes  to  hea 
ven.  "  O  brother,  brother  !  you  have  been  trained 
in  the  holy  mystery  of  your  redemption,  and  need 
not  now  be  told  on  what  Rock  to  place  your  hopes 
of  pardon !" 

"  Had  I  never  forgotten  those  precepts,  my  name 
would  still  be  known  with  honour.  But,  Wilder !" 
he  added  with  startling  energy,  "  Wilder ! — " 

All  eyes  were  bent  eagerly  on  the  speaker.  His 
hand  was  holding  a  roll  on  which  he  had  been  re 
posing,  as  on  a  pillow.  With  a  supernatural  effort, 
his  form  arose  on  the  litter;  and,  with  both  hands 
elevated  above  his  head,  he  let  fall  before  him  that 
blazonry  of  intermingled  stripes,  with  its  blue  field 
of  rising  stars,  a  glow  of  high  exultation  illumining 
each  feature  of  his  face,  as  in  his  former  day  of  pride. 

"Wilder!"  he  repeated,  laughing  hysterically,  "we 
have  triumphed  !" — Then  he  fell  backward,  without 
motion,  the  exulting  lineaments  settling  in  the  gloom 
of  death,  as  shadows  obscure  the  smiling  brightness 
of  the  sun. 


THE  END. 


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